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 tie. The little girl was somewhat alarmed at the prospect of Biddy's leaving, for she thought that her hardships would be increased if the maid went away. It was not Bridget's first threat of the kind, however, but her usual resort when things got wrong, to restore them to better courses again. Nattie laid down her book, crossly, and began to pick up the shells scattered on the carpet.

"Can't I eat a few filberts without having such a noise as this?" she said. "What a house this is for flurries! and, Bridget Wales, you had better go back to your work in the kitchen. As to your going away from here, I don't believe that we could drive you off, if we tried. Who, but we, would sing Irish songs with you, Saturday nights? or stay at home to do your work and let you go to Mass as often as you choose?"

"There, Miss Nattie, many's the good times we has, singing of ould Ireland; and, if ye'd be a bit more careful, like, wid yer dirt and litter, I might stay wid yer till the day o' my doom."