21
⟨built⟩, tney says by the great Brian Boru. ⟨Within⟩ the house there was a great carousing going forward, and the little man stopped outside for some time to listen; then turning round all of a sudden, said, Billy, I will be a thousand years old to-morrow!
God bless us, sir, said Billy, will you?
Don't say these words again, Billy, said the little man, or you will be my ruin for ever. Now, Billy, as I will be a thousand years in the world to-morrow, I think it is full time for me to get married.
I think so too, without any kind of doubt at all, said Billy, if ever you mean to marry.
And to that purpose, said the little man, have I come all the way to Carrigoggunniel: for in this house, this very night, is young Darby Riley going to be married to Bridget Rooney; and as she is a tall and comely girl, and has come of decent people, I think of marrying her myself, and taking her off with me.
And what will Darby Riley say to that? said Billy ?
Silence! said the little man, putting on a mighty severe look; I did not bring you here with me to ask questions; and without holding farther argument, he began saying the queer words, which had the power of passing him through the key-hole
