Don't be standing there pulling at the old door-bell.

You know as well as myself it's broken these two years.

It's heartbroken the thing is ever since that congested engineer put up the electric bell for me, and little use that was, seeing that Biddy O'Halloran--that's my housekeeper, Mr.
Conneally; you remember her--poured a jug of hot water into its inside the way it wouldn't annoy her with ringing so loud.

And why the noise of it vexed her I couldn't say, for she's as deaf as a post every time I speak to her.

Ah, you're there, Michael, are you?
Now, what do you want ?' A young farmer, black-haired, tall and straight, stood in the doorway with his hat in his hand.