saidJack，bangingdownaguineaonthetable；\"canyoucoverthat，oldfellow？\"Themanofthethimblelookedatthegold，andthenathimwhoproducedit，andscratchedhishead。\"Come，coverthat，orIshallbeoff，\"saidthejockey。\"Och，sure，mylord！—no，Imeanyourhonour—no，sure，yourlordship，\"saidtheother，\"ifIcoversitatall，itmustbewithsilver，fordivilabitofgoldhaveIbyme。\"\"Well，then，producethevalueinsilver，\"saidthejockey，\"anddoitquickly，forIcan’tbestayinghereallday。\"Thethimble—manhesitated，lookedatJackwithadubiouslook，thenatthegold，andthenscratchedhishead。
Therewasnowalaughamongstthesurrounders，whichevidentlynettledthefellow，whoforthwiththrusthishandintohispocket，andpullingoutallhissilvertreasure，justcontrivedtoplacethevalueoftheguineaonthetable。
\"Themthatfindswins，andthemthatcan’tfind—LOSES，\"
interruptedJack，liftingupathimble，outofwhichrolledapea。\"There，paddy，whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"saidhe，seizingtheheapofsilverwithonehand，whilsthepocketedtheguineawiththeother。Thethimble—engrostood，forsometime，likeonetransfixed，hiseyesglaringwildly，nowatthetable，andnowathissuccessfulcustomers；atlasthesaid，\"Arrah，sure，master！—no，Imanesmylord—youarenotgoingtoruinapoorboy！\"\"Ruinyou！\"sailtheother；
\"what！bywinningaguinea’schange？aprettysmalldodgeryou—ifyouhavenotsufficientcapital，whydoyouengageinsodeepatradeasthimbling？come，willyoustandanothergame？\"\"Och，sure，master，no！thetwentyshillingsandonewhichyouhavecheatedmeofwereallIhadintheworld。\"
\"Cheatedyou，\"saidJack，\"saythatagain，andIwillknockyoudown。\"\"Arrah！sure，master，youknowsthatthepeaunderthethimblewasnotmine；hereismine，master；nowgivemebackmymoney。\"\"Alikelything，\"saidJack；\"no，no，Iknowatrickworthtwoorthreeofthat；whetherthepeawasyoursormine，youwillneverhaveyourtwentyshillingsandoneagain；andifIhaveruinedyou，allthebetter；I’dgladlyruinallsuchvillainsasyou，whoruinpoormenwithyourdirtytricks，whomyouwouldknockdownandrobontheroad，ifyouhadbutcourage；notthatImeantokeepyourshillings，withtheexceptionofthetwoyoucheatedfromme，whichI’llkeep。Ascramble，boys！ascramble！\"saidhe，flingingupallthesilverintotheair，withtheexceptionofthetwoshillings；andascramblethereinstantlywas，betweentherusticswhohadlosttheirmoneyandtheurchinswhocamerunningup；thepoorthimble—engrotriedlikewisetohavehisshare；andthoughheflunghimselfdown，inordertojoinmoreeffectuallyinthescramble，hewasunabletoobtainasinglesixpence；andhavinginhisragegivensomeofhisfellow—scramblersacuffortwo，hewassetuponbytheboysandcountryfellows，andcompelledtomakeaningloriousretreatwithhistable，whichhadbeenflungdowninthescuffle，andhadoneofitslegsbroken。
Asheretired，therabblehooted，andJack，holdingupinderisionthepeawithwhichhehadoutmanoeuvredhim，exclaimed，\"Ialwayscarrythisinmypocketinordertobeamatchforvagabondslikeyou。\"
Thetumultover，Jackgone，andtherabbledispersed，I
followedthediscomfitedadventureratadistance，who，leavingthetown，wentslowlyon，carryinghisdilapidatedpieceoffurniture；tillcomingtoanoldwallbytheroadside，heplaceditontheground，andsatdown，seeminglyindeepdespondency，holdinghisthumbtohismouth。Goingnearlyuptohim，Istoodstill，whereuponhelookedup，andperceivingIwaslookingsteadfastlyathim，hesaid，inanangrytone，\"Arrah！whatforareyoustaringatmeso？Bymyshoul，Ithinkyouareoneofthethaiveswhoareafterrobbingme。IthinkIsawyouamongthem，andifIwereonlysureofit，Iwouldtakethelibertyoftryingtogiveyouabigbating。\"\"Youhavehadenoughoftryingtogivepeopleabeating，\"saidI；\"youhadbetterbetakingyourtabletosomeskilfulcarpentertogetitrepaired。Hewilldoitforsixpence。\"\"Divilasixpencedidyouandyourthaivesleaveme，\"saidhe；\"andifyoudonottakeyourselfoff，joy，I
willbebreakingyouruglyheadwiththefootofit。\"
\"Arrah，Murtagh！\"saidI，\"wouldyebebreakingtheheadofyourfriendandscholar，towhomyoutaughttheblessedtongueofOiliennanNaomha，inexchangeforapackofcards？\"Murtagh，forheitwas，gazedatmeforamomentwithabewilderedlook；then，withagleamofintelligenceinhiseye，hesaid，\"Shorsha！no，itcan’tbe—yes，bymyfaithitis！\"Then，springingup，andseizingmebythehand，hesaid，\"Yes，bythepowers，sureenoughitisShorshaagra！Arrah，Shorsha！wherehaveyoubeenthismanyaday？
Sure，youarenotoneofthespalpeenswhoareafterrobbingme？\"\"NotI，\"Ireplied，\"butIsawallthathappened。
Come，youmustnottakematterssotoheart；cheerup；suchthingswillhappeninconnectionwiththetradeyouhavetakenup。\"\"Sorrowbefallthetrade，andthethiefwhotaughtitme，\"saidMurtagh；\"andyetthetradeisnotabadone，ifIonlyknewmoreofit，andhadsomeonetohelpandbackme。Och！theideaofbeingcheatedandbamboozledbythatone—eyedthiefinthehorseman’sdress。\"\"Letbygonesbebygones，Murtagh，\"saidI；\"itisnousegrievingforthepast；sitdown，andletushavealittlepleasantgossip。
Arrah，Murtagh！whenIsawyousittingunderthewall，withyourthumbtoyourmouth，itbroughttomymindtaleswhichyouusedtotellmeallaboutFinn—ma—Coul。YouhavenotforgottenFinn—ma—Coul，Murtagh，andhowhesuckedwisdomoutofhisthumb。\"\"SorrowabithaveIforgotabouthim，Shorsha，\"saidMurtagh，aswesatdowntogether，\"norwhatyouyourselftoldmeaboutthesnake。Arrah，Shorsha！whatyetoldmeaboutthesnake，batesanythingIevertoldyouaboutFinn。Ochone，Shorsha！perhapsyouwillbetellingmeaboutthesnakeoncemore？Ithinkthetalewoulddomegood，andIhaveneedofcomfort，Godknows，ochone！\"SeeingMurtaghinsuchadistressedplight，Iforthwithtoldhimoveragainthetaleofthesnake，inpreciselythesamewordsasIhaverelateditinthefirstpartofthishistory。
Afterwhich，Isaid，\"Now，Murtagh，titfortat；yewillbetellingmeoneoftheoldstoriesofFinn—ma—Coul。\"\"Och，Shorsha！Ihaven’theartenough，\"saidMurtagh。\"Thankyouforyourtale，butitmakesmeweep；itbringstomymindDungarvontimesofold—Imeanthetimeswewereatschooltogether。\"\"Cheerup，man，\"saidI，\"andlet’shavethestory，andletitbeaboutMa—Coulandthesalmonandhisthumb。\"\"Arrah，Shorsha！Ican’t。Well，toobligeyou，I’llgiveityou。Well，youknowMa—Coulwasanexposedchild，andcamefloatingoverthesaltseainachestwhichwascastashoreatVeintryBay。Inthecornerofthatbaywasacastle，wheredweltagiantandhiswife，veryrespectableanddecentpeople，andthisgiant，takinghismorningwalkalongthebay，cametotheplacewherethechildhadbeencastashoreinhisbox。Well，thegiantlookedatthechild，andbeingfilledwithcompassionforhisexposedstate，tookthechildupinhisbox，andcarriedhimhometohiscastle，whereheandhiswife，beingdacentrespectablepeople，asItelledyebefore，fosteredthechildandtookcareofhim，tillhebecameoldenoughtogoouttoserviceandgainhislivelihood，whentheyboundhimoutapprenticetoanothergiant，wholivedinacastleupthecountry，atsomedistancefromthebay。
\"Thisgiant，whosenamewasDarmodDavidOdeen，wasnotarespectablepersonatall，butabigoldvagabond。Hewastwicethesizeoftheothergiant，who，thoughbiggerthananyman，wasnotabiggiant；for，astherearegreatandsmallmen，sotherearegreatandsmallgiants—Imeansomearesmallwhencomparedwiththeothers。Well，Finnservedthisgiantaconsiderabletime，doingallkindsofhardandunreasonableserviceforhim，andreceivingallkindsofhardwords，andmanyahardknockandkicktoboot—sorrowbefalltheoldvagabondwhocouldthusill—treatahelplessfoundling。Itchancedthatonedaythegiantcaughtasalmon，nearasalmon—leapuponhisestate—for，thoughabigouldblackguard，hewasapersonofconsiderablelandedproperty，andhighsheriffforthecountyCork。Well，thegiantbringshomethesalmonbythegills，anddeliversittoFinn，tellinghimtoroastitforthegiant’sdinner；’buttakecare，yeyoungblackguard，’headded，’thatinroastingit—andIexpectyetoroastitwell—youdonotletablistercomeuponitsnicesatinskin，forifyedo，Iwillcuttheheadoffyourshoulders。’’Well，’thinksFinn，’thisisahardtask；however，asIhavedonemanyhardtasksforhim，Iwilltryanddothistoo，thoughIwasneversettodoanythingyethalfsodifficult。’Sohepreparedhisfire，andputhisgridironuponit，andlaysthesalmonfairlyandsoftlyuponthegridiron，andthenheroastsit，turningitfromonesidetotheotherjustinthenickoftime，beforethesoftsatinskincouldbeblistered。However，onturningitovertheeleventhtime—andtwelvewouldhavesettledthebusiness—hefoundhehaddelayedalittlebitoftimetoolonginturningitover，andthattherewasasmall，tinyblisteronthesoftouterskin。Well，Finnwasinamightypanic，rememberingthethreatsoftheouldgiant；however，hedidnotloseheart，butclappedhisthumbupontheblisterinordertosmoothitdown。Nowthesalmon，Shorsha，wasnearlydone，andthefleshthoroughlyhot，soFinn’sthumbwasscalt，andhe，clappingittohismouth，suckedit，inordertodrawoutthepain，andinamoment—hubbuboo！—becameimbuedwithallthewisdomoftheworld。
MYSELF。Stop，Murtagh！stop！
MURTAGH。Allthewitchcraft，Shorsha。
MYSELF。Howwonderful！
MURTAGH。Wasitnot，Shorsha？Thesalmon，doyousee，wasafairysalmon。
MYSELF。WhatastrangecoincidenceMURTAGH。Awhat，Shorsha？
MYSELF。Why，thattheverysametaleshouldbetoldofFinn—
ma—Coul，whichisrelatedofSigurdFafnisbane。
\"Whatthiefwasthat，Shorsha？\"
\"Thief！’Tistrue，hetookthetreasureofFafnir。SigurdwastheherooftheNorth，Murtagh，evenasFinnisthegreatheroofIreland。He，too，accordingtooneaccount，wasanexposedchild，andcamefloatinginacaskettoawildshore，wherehewassuckledbyahind，andafterwardsfoundandfosteredbyMimir，afairyblacksmith；he，too，suckedwisdomfromaburn。AccordingtotheEdda，heburnthisfingerwhilstfeelingoftheheartofFafnir，whichhewasroasting，andputtingitintohismouthinordertosuckoutthepain，becameimbuedwithallthewisdomoftheworld，theknowledgeofthelanguageofbirds，andwhatnot。IhaveheardyoutellthetaleofFinnadozentimesintheblesseddaysofold，butitsidentitywiththetaleofSigurdneveroccurredtometillnow。Itistrue，whenIknewyouofold，IhadneverreadthetaleofSigurd，andhavesincealmostdismissedmattersofIrelandfrommymind；butassoonasyoutoldmeagainaboutFinn’sburninghisfinger，thecoincidencestruckme。Isay，Murtagh，theIrishowemuchtotheDanes—\"
\"Devilabit，Shorsha，dotheyowetothethaives，exceptmanyabloodybatingandplundering，whichtheyneverpaidthemback。Och，Shorsha！you，edicatedinouldIreland，tosaythattheIrishowesanythinggoodtotheplunderingvillains—theSiolLoughlin。\"
\"Theyowethemhalftheirtraditions，Murtagh，andamongstothers，Finn—ma—Coulandtheburntfinger；andifeverI
publishtheLoughlinsongs，I’lltelltheworldso。\"
\"But，Shorsha，theworldwillneverbelieveye—tosaynothingoftheIrishpartofit。\"
\"Thentheworld，Murtagh—tosaynothingoftheIrishpartofit—willbeafool，evenasIhaveoftenthoughtit；thegrandthing，Murtagh，istobeabletobelieveoneself，andrespectoneself。Howfewwhomtheworldbelievesbelieveandrespectthemselves。\"
\"Och，Shorsha！shallIgoonwiththetaleofFinn？\"
\"I’dratheryoushouldnot，Murtagh；Iknowallaboutitalready。\"
\"Thenwhydidyoubothermetotellitatfirst，Shorsha？
Och，itwasdoingmyownselfgood，andmakingmeforgetmyownsorrowfulstate，whenyeinterruptedmewithyourthaivesofDanes！Och，Shorsha！letmetellyouhowFinn，bymeansofsuckinghisthumb，andthewitchcraftheimbibedfromit，contrivedtopulloffthearmoftheouldwagabone，DarmodDavidOdeen，whilstshakinghandswithhim—forFinncoulddonofeatofstrengthwithoutsuckinghisthumb，Shorsha，asConantheBaldtoldthesonofOisininthesongwhichIusedtosingyeinDungarvontimesofold；\"andhereMurtaghrepeatedcertainIrishwordstothefollowingeffect：—
\"OlittlethefoolishwordsIheedOOisin’sson，fromthylipswhichcome；
NostrengthwereinFinnforvalorousdeed，Unlesstothegristlehesuck’dhisthumb。\"
\"Enoughisasgoodasafeast，Murtagh，IamnolongerinthecueforFinn。Iwouldratherhearyourownhistory。Nowtellus，man，allthathashappenedtoyesinceDungarvontimesofold？\"
\"Och，Shorsha，itwouldbemerelybringingallmysorrowsbackuponme！\"
\"Well，ifIknowallyoursorrows，perhapsIshallbeabletofindahelpforthem。Ioweyoumuch，Murtagh；youtaughtmeIrish，andIwilldoallIcantohelpyou。\"
\"Why，then，Shorsha，I’lltellyemyhistory。Heregoes！\"
CHAPTERXLV
Murtagh’sTale。
\"WELL，Shorsha，aboutayearandahalfafteryouleftus—
andasorrowfulhourforusitwaswhenyeleftus，losing，aswedid，yourfunnystoriesofyoursnake—andthebattlesofyourmilitary—theysentmetoParisandSalamanca，inordertomakeasaggartofme。\"
\"Prayexcuseme，\"saidI，\"forinterruptingyou，butwhatkindofplaceisSalamanca？\"
\"DivilabitdidIeverseeofit，Shorsha！\"
\"Thenwhydidyesayyeweresentthere？Well，whatkindofplaceisParis？NotthatIcaremuchaboutParis。\"
\"SorrowabitdidIeverseeofeitherthem，Shorsha，fornoonesentmetoeither。WhenwesaysathomeapersonisgoingtoParisandSalamanca，itmanesthatheisgoingabroadtostudytobeasaggart，whetherhegoestothemplacesornot。No，Ineversaweither—badlucktothem—I
wasshippedawayfromCorkupthestraitstoaplacecalledLeghorn，fromwhichIwassentto—toareligioushouse，whereIwastobeinstructedinsaggartingtilltheyhadmademefittocutadacentfigureinIreland。Wehadalongandtediousvoyage，Shorsha；notsotedious，however，asitwouldhavebeenhadIbeenfoolenoughtolaveyourpackofcardsbehindme，asthethaif，mybrotherDenis，wantedtopersuademetodo，inorderthathemightplaywiththemhimself。
WiththecardsImanagedtohavemanyanicegamewiththesailors，winningfromthemha’penniesandsixpencesuntilthecaptainsaidIwasruininghismen，andkeepingthemfromtheirduty；and，beingahereticandaDutchman，sworethatunlessIgaveoverhewouldtiemeuptothemastandgivemearounddozen。Thisthreatobligedmetobemoreonmyguard，thoughIoccasionallycontrivedtogetagameatnight，andtowinsixpenniesandha’pennies。
\"WereachedLeghornatlast，andgladIwastoleavetheshipandthemaster，whogavemeakickasIwasgettingovertheside，badlucktothedirtyhereticforkickingasonofthechurch，forIhavealwaysbeenatruesonofthechurch，Shorsha，andneverquarrelledwithitunlessitinterferedwithmeinmyplayingatcards。IleftLeghornwithcertainmuleteers，withwhomIplayedatcardsatthebaiting—houses，andwhospeedilywonfrommealltheha’penniesandsixpencesIhadwonfromthesailors。Igotmymoney’sworth，however，forIlearntfromthemuleteersallkindofquainttricksuponthecards，whichIknewnothingofbefore；soIdidnotgrudgethemwhattheychatedmeof，andwhenwepartedwedidsoinkindnessonbothsides。Ongettingto—IwasreceivedintothereligioushouseforIrishes。ItwastheIrishhouse，Shorsha，intowhichIwastaken，forIdonotwishyetosupposethatIwasintheEnglishreligioushousewhichthereisinthatcity，inwhichapurtysetareeducated，andinwhichpurtydoingsaregoingonifalltalesbetrue。
\"InthisIrishhouseIcommencedmystudies，learningtosingandtoreadtheLatinprayersofthechurch。’Faith，Shorsha，many’sthesorrowfuldayIpassedinthathouselearningtheprayersandlitanies，beinghalf—starved，withnoearthlydiversionatall，atall；untilItookthecardsoutofmychestandbeganinstructingincard—playingthechumwhichIhadwithmeinmycell；thenIhadplentyofdiversionalongwithhimduringthetimeswhenIwasnotengagedinsinging，andchanting，andsayingtheprayersofthechurch；therewas，however，somedrawbackinplayingwithmychum，forthoughhewasverycleverinlearning，divilasixpencehadhetoplaywith，inwhichrespecthewaslikemyself，themasterwhotaughthim，whohadlostallmymoneytothemuleteerswhotaughtmethetricksuponthecards；bydegrees，however，itbegantobenoisedaboutthereligioushousethatMurtagh，fromHibrodary，（1）hadapackofcardswithwhichheplayedwithhischuminthecell；whereuponotherscholarsofthereligioushousecametome，sometobetaughtandotherstoplay，sowithsomeIplayed，andothersItaught，butneithertothosewhocouldplay，ortothosewhocouldnot，didIteachtheeleganttrickswhichIlearntfromthemuleteers。Well，thescholarscametomeforthesakeofthecards，andtheporterandcookofthereligioushouse，whocouldbothplayverywell，camealso；atlastI
becametiredofplayingfornothing，soIborrowedafewbitsofsilverfromthecook，andplayedagainsttheporter，andbymeansofmytricksIwonmoneyfromtheporter，andthenI
paidthecookthebitsofsilverwhichIhadborrowedofhim；
andplayedwithhim，andwonalittleofhismoney，whichI
lethimwinbackagain，asIhadlivedlongenoughinareligioushousetoknowthatitisdangeroustotakemoneyfromthecook。Inalittletime，Shorsha，therewasscarcelyanythinggoingoninthehousebutcard—playing；thealmonerplayedwithme，andsodidthesub—rector，andIwonmoneyfromboth；nottoomuch，however，lesttheyshouldtelltherector，whohadthecharacterofaveryaustereman，andofbeingabitofasaint；however，thethiefofaporter，whosemoneyIhadwon，informedtherectorofwhatwasgoingon，andonedaytherectorsentformeintohisprivateapartment，andgavemesolongandpiousalectureupontheheinoussinofcard—playing，thatIthoughtIshouldsinkintotheground；afterabouthalf—an—hour’sinveighingagainstcard—playing，hebegantosoftenhistone，andwithalongsightoldmethatatonetimeofhislifehehadbeenayoungmanhimself，andhadoccasionallyusedthecards；hethenbegantoaskmesomequestionsaboutcard—playing，whichquestionsIafterwardsfoundweretopumpfrommewhatIknewaboutthescience。AfteratimeheaskedmewhetherIhadgotmycardswithme，andonmytellinghimIhad，heexpressedawishtoseethem，whereuponItookthepackoutofmypocket，andshowedittohim；helookedatitveryattentively，andatlast，givinganotherdeepsigh，hesaid，thatthoughhewasnearlyweanedfromthevanitiesoftheworld，hehadstillaninclinationtoseewhetherhehadentirelylostthelittleskillwhichatonetimehepossessed。WhenIheardhimspeakinthismanner，Itoldhimthatifhisreverencewasinclinedforagameofcards，I
shouldbeveryhappytoplayonewithhim；scarcelyhadI
utteredthesewordsthanhegaveathirdsigh，andlookedsoverymuchlikeasaintthatIwasafraidhewasgoingtoexcommunicateme。Nothingofthekind，however，forpresentlyhegetsupandlocksthedoor，thensittingdownatthetable，hemotionedmetodothesame，whichIdid，andinfiveminuteswewereplayingatcards，hisreverenceandmyself。
\"Isoonfoundthathisreverenceknewquiteasmuchaboutcard—playingasIdid。Divilatrickwasthereconnectedwithcardsthathisreverencedidnotseemawaketo。As，however，wewerenotplayingformoney，thiscircumstancedidnotgivememuchuneasiness；soweplayedgameaftergamefortwohours，whenhisreverence，havingbusiness，toldmeI
mightgo，soItookupmycards，makemyobedience，andlefthim。ThenextdayIhadothergameswithhim，andsoonforaverylongtime，stillplayingfornothing。Atlasthisreverencegrewtiredofplayingfornothing，andproposedthatweshouldplayformoney。Now，Ihadnodesiretoplaywithhisreverenceformoney，asIknewthatdoingsowouldbringonaquarrel。Aslongaswewereplayingfornothing，Icouldaffordtolethisreverenceusewhattrickshepleased；butifweplayedformoney，Icouldn’tdoso。Ifheplayedhistricks，Imustplaymine，anduseeveryadvantagetosavemymoney；andtherewasoneIpossessedwhichhisreverencedidnot。Thecardsbeingmyown，Ihadputsomedelicatelittlemarksonthetrumpcards，justattheedges，sothatwhenIdealt，bymeansofalittlesleightofhand，I
coulddealmyselfanytrumpcardIpleased。ButIwished，asIsaidbefore，tohavenodealingsformoneywithhisreverence，knowingthathewasmasterinthehouse，andthathecouldleadmeadogofalifeifIoffendedhim，eitherbywinninghismoney，ornotlettinghimwinmine。SoItoldhimIhadnomoneytoplaywith，buttheouldthiefknewbetter；heknewthatIwaseverydaywinningmoneyfromthescholars，andthesub—rector，andtheotherpeopleofthehouse，andtheouldthaifhaddeterminedtoletmegooninthatwaywinningmoney，andthenbymeansofhistricks，whichhethoughtIdarenotresent，towinfrommeallmyearnings—inaword，Shorsha，toletmefillmyselflikeasponge，andthensqueezemeforhisownadvantage。Sohemademeplaywithhim，andinlessthanthreedayscameonthequarrel；hisreverencechatedme，andIchatedhisreverence；theouldthaifkneweverytrickthatIknew，andoneortwomore；butindalingoutthecardsInickedhisreverence；scarcelyatrumpdidIevergivehim，Shorsha，andwonhismoneypurtyfreely。Och，itwasapurtyquarrel！
Allthedelicatenamesinthe’NewgateCalendar，’ifyeeverheardofsuchabook；allthehang—dognamesintheNewgatehistories，andthelivesofIrishrogues，didwecalleachother—hisreverenceandI！Suddenly，however，puttingouthishand，heseizedthecards，saying，’Iwillexaminethesecards，yecheatingscoundrel！forIbelievetherearedirtymarksonthem，whichyehavemadeinordertoknowthewinningcards。’’Givemebackmypack，’saidI，’orm’anamonDioulifIbenotthedeathofye！’Hisreverence，however，clappedthecardsintohispocket，andmadethebestofhiswaytothedoor，Ihanginguponhim。Hewasagross，fatman，but，likemostfatmen，deadlystrong，soheforcedhiswaytothedoor，and，openingit，flunghimselfout，withmestillholdingonhimlikeaterrierdogonabigfatpig；
thenheshoutsforhelp，andinalittletimeIwassecuredandthrustintoalock—uproom，whereIwaslefttomyself。
Herewasapurtyalteration。YesterdayIwastheidolofthereligioushouse，thoughtmoreonthanhisreverence，everyonepayingmecourtandwurtship，andwantingtoplaycardswithme，andtolearnmytricks，andfed，moreover，onthetidbitsofthetable；andto—dayIwasinacell，nobodycomingtolookatmebuttheblackguardporterwhohadchargeofme，mycardstakenfromme，andwithnothingbutbreadandwatertoliveupon。Timepasseddrearyenoughforamonth，attheendofwhichtimehisreverencecametome，leavingtheporterjustoutsidethedoorinordertocometohishelpshouldIbeviolent；andthenhereadmeaverypurtylectureonmyconduct，sayingIhadturnedthereligioushousetopsy—
turvy，andcorruptedthescholars，andthatIwasthecheatoftheworld，forthatoninspectingthepackhehaddiscoveredthedirtymarkswhichIhadmadeuponthetrumpcardsfortoknowthemby。Hesaidagreatdealmoretome，whichisnotworthrelating，andendedbytellingmethatheintendedtoletmeoutofconfinementnextday，butthatifeverImisconductedmyselfanymore，hewouldclapmeinagainfortherestofmylife。Ihadagoodmindtocallhimanouldthaif，butthehopeofgettingoutmademeholdmytongue，andthenextdayIwasletout；andneedenoughIhadtobeletout，forwhatwithbeingalone，andlivingonbreadandwater，Iwasbecomingfrighted，or，asthedoctorscallit，narvous。ButwhenIwasout—oh，whatachangeIfoundinthereligioushouse！nocard—playing，forithadbeenforbiddentothescholars，andtherewasnownothinggoingonbutreadingandsinging；divilamerryvisagetobeseen，butplentyofprimairsandgraces；butthecaseofthescholars，thoughbadenough，wasnothalfsobadasmine，fortheycouldspaketoeachother，whereasIcouldnothaveawordofconversation，fortheouldthaifofarectorhadorderedthemtosendmeto’Coventry，’tellingthemthatIwasagamblingcheat，withmoralsbadenoughtocorruptahorseregiment；
andwhereastheywereallowedtodivertthemselveswithgoingout，Iwaskeptreadingandsingingfrommorntillnight。
Theonlysoulwhowaswillingtoexchangeawordwithmewasthecook，andsometimesheandIhadalittlebitofdiscourseinacorner，andwecondoledwitheachother，forhelikedthechangeinthereligioushousealmostaslittleasmyself；buthetoldmethat，forallthechangebelowstairs，therewasstillcard—playingonabove，forthattheouldthaifofarector，andthesub—rector，andthealmonerplayedatcardstogether，andthattherectorwonmoneyfromtheothers—thealmonerhadtoldhimso—and，moreover，thattherectorwasthethaifoftheworld，andhadoncebeenkickedoutofaclub—houseatDublinforcheatingatcards，andafterthatcircumstancehadapparentlyreformedandliveddecentlytillthetimewhenIcametothereligioushousewithmypack，butthatthesightofthathadbroughthimbacktohisouldgambling。Hetoldthecook，moreover，thattherectorfrequentlywentoutatnighttothehousesofthegreatclergyandcheatedatcards。
\"Inthismelancholystate，withrespecttomyself，thingscontinuedalongtime，whensuddenlytherewasareportthathisHolinessthePopeintendedtopayavisittothereligioushouseinordertoexamineintoitsdiscipline。
WhenIheardthisIwasglad，forIdeterminedafterthePopehaddonewhathehadcometodo，tofalluponmykneesbeforehim，andmakearegularcomplaintofthetreatmentIhadreceived，totellhimofthecheatingatcardsoftherector，andtobeghimtomaketheouldthaifgivemebackmypackagain。Sothedayofthevisitcame，andhisHolinessmadehisappearancewithhisattendants，and，havinglookedoverthereligioushouse，hewentintotherector’sroomwiththerector，thesub—rector，andthealmoner。IintendedtohavewaiteduntilhisHolinesscameout，butfindinghestayedalongtimeIthoughtIwoulde’engointohim，soIwentuptothedoorwithoutanybodyobservingme—hisattendantsbeingwalkingaboutthecorridor—andopeningitIslippedin，andtherewhatdoyouthinkIsaw？Why，hisHolinessthePope，andhisreverencetherector，andthesub—rector，andthealmonerseatedatcards；andtheouldthaifofarectorwasdealingoutthecardswhichyehadgivenme，Shorsha，tohisHolinessthePope，thesub—rector，thealmoner，andhimself。\"
