kneel down.  In general it is looked upon more in fun than punishment.  Sometimes, however, the wealthier class compromise this matter with the priest, as described above.

“‘Well, well, your Reverence,’ says my uncle, winking at her father, ’if that’s the case, it can’t be helped, any how—­they must only stand, as many a dacent father and mother’s child has done before them, and will again, plase God—­your Reverence is right in doing your duty.’

“‘True for you, Brian,’ says his Reverence, ’and yet, God knows, there’s no man in the parish would be sorrier to see such a dacent, comely young couple put upon a level with all the scrubs of the parish; and I know, Jemmy Finigan, it would go hard with your young, bashful daughter to get through with it, having the eyes of the whole congregation staring on her.’

“‘Why, then, your Reverence, as to that,’ says my uncle, who was just as stiff as the other was stout, ’the bashfulest of them will do more nor that to get a husband.’

“‘But you tell me,’ says the priest, ’that the wedding-day is fixed upon; how will you manage there?’

“‘Why, put it off for three Sundays longer, to be sure,’ says the uncle.

“‘But you forget this, Brian,’ says the priest, ’that good luck or prosperity never attends the putting off of a wedding.’

“Now here, you see, is where the priest had them; for they knew that as well as his Reverence himself—­so they were in a puzzle again.

“‘It’s a disagreeable business,’ says the priest, ’but the truth is, I could get them off with the bishop, only for one thing—­I owe him five guineas of altar-money, and I am so far back in dues that I’m not able to pay him.  If I could inclose this to him in a letter, I would get them off at once, although it would be bringing myself into trouble with the parish afterwards; but, at all events,’ says he, ’I wouldn’t make every one of you both—­so, to prove that I wish to sarve you, I’ll sell the best cow in my byre, and pay him myself, rather than their wedding day should be put off, poor things, or themselves brought to any bad luck—­the Lord keep them from it!’

“While he was speaking, he stamped his foot two or three times on the flure, and the housekeeper came in.—­’Katty,’ says he, ’bring us in a bottle of whiskey; at all events, I can’t let you away,’ says he, ‘without tasting something, and drinking luck to the young folks.’

“‘In troth,’ says Jemmy Finigan, ’and begging your Reverence’s pardon, the sorra cow you’ll sell this bout, any how, on account of me or my childhre, bekase I’ll lay down on the nail what’ll clear you wid the bishop; and in the name of goodness, as the day is fixed and all, let the crathurs not be disappointed.’

“‘Jemmy,’ says my uncle, ’if you go to that, you’ll pay but your share, for I insist upon laying down one-half, at laste.’