QUARRELS
"But why did you leave your last place?" the lady asked of the would-be
cook.
"To tell the truth, mum, I just couldn't stand the way the master an'
the missus used to quarrel, mum."
"Dear me! Do you mean to say that they actually used to quarrel?"
"Yis, mum, all the time. When it wasn't me an' him, it was me an' her."
"I hear ye had words with Casey.
"We had no words."
"Then nothing passed between ye?"
"Nothing but one brick."
There had been a wordy falling-out between Mrs. Halloran and Mrs.
Donohue; there had been words; nay, more, there had been language. Mrs.
Halloran had gone to church early in the morning, had fulfilled the
duties of her religion, and was returning primly home, when Mrs. Donohue
spied her, and, still smouldering with volcanic fire, sent a broadside
of lava at Mrs. Halloran. The latter heard, flushed, opened her
lips--and then suddenly checked herself. After a moment she spoke: "Mrs.
Donohue, I've just been to church, and I'm in a state of grace. But,
plaze Hivin, the next time I meet yez, I won't be, and thin I'll till
yez what I think of yez!"
A quarrel is quickly settled when deserted by one party: there is no
battle unless there be two.--_Seneca_.
_See also_ Marriage; Servants