the noise of the trees were more or less distinct at last i could hear the words or run pronounced at pray for us father butler tain intervals and this induced me to conclude that they were the burden of whatever was then re e i now rose and traversed the garden and y this means i perceived that the sound came from a particular quarter adjoining s house the of which formed part of the garden wail i stood here for a few minutes and placing my open hand in the form of a behind my ear set myself to catch the sounds more distinctly ah however was vain � i looked around and around to no purpose i saw not a quarter from which they could possibly proceed without my immediately perceiving the person who uttered them at length however an increased in the tones of the voice led me to look up and judge of my surprise when i a round rosy fat face and two large gray bullet eyes fixed upon me from a tree which grew within a few feet of the window of the house and what made the whole thing ridiculous was the rocking to and fro of the tree and consequently of � for it was himself � whilst he repeated his prayers in a tone loud and musical i could not help giving an involuntary smile almost to a laugh at such an original and singular appearance but i instantly turned away fearful of giving offence and glad also of an opportunity to conceal what he might probably set down as an improper levity on my part but which in reality was not the next glance i gave at him however i felt that there was at least in my eye and it was by no means lessened by the contrast of the grave face the eyes of which were solemnly fixed upon me out of the branches as before i then retreated to the summer house which was in the other end of the garden where i certainly enjoyed the grotesque appearance and situation of without danger of giving offence there he was about thirty five feet from the ground in a father butler seat made in the branches of the tree which had started out as they grew and formed a natural large enough with the assistance of two or three laid across the forks and covered with green to contain three men i now perceived that i must wait until the prayers should be gone through and accordingly amused myself with and with until the termination of his morning when these were concluded he v ry into the window of the second story which was just on a level with the bower and not more than a foot and a half from it in this manner descending into the parlour i now thought proper to go in and when i entered was a little water out of a bottle on the palm of his left hand in which he dipped the point of his right thumb and formed the sign of the cross upon his breast and forehead repeating certain words that were originally latin but which had stripped of that useful character of language � he paid not much attention to me while this was g ing forward although he certainly glanced his eye occasionally towards me as if he could have spared my presence yet that seemed to him on the whole to be a matter of indifference when he had finished that ceremony he gave the wife a single look with which she seemed to be well acquainted for she instantly disappeared and left him and myself together mr said i after bidding him good morrow i hope you will excuse me visit but as i am generally an early i thought it the best way to drop in as i took my morning ride and the most likely hour to find you within hope my coming has not interfered with the performance of your � in me sir said don t me i m a worm ye ve father butler a on the a wicked sinful villain and for that so is yourself an all god s if one goes to that how an ever i m an act of ty this � an more nor that � bud i m not a man that s apt to boast iv what i do that way � god forbid i � bud at any rate i hope there s many a bright angel in heaven through my worm as i am � bud i won t boast i say only take care sir an don t me if you have any regard for my call me plain � or indeed you would do me a if you called me why do you think my calling you would injure your soul i inquired it might damn it sir it might damn it to all for it might make me proud and pride as the says is the first of the seven deadly sins bud sir i m to be humble and pride is a sin i m not given to well will you let me know how you intend to put your in practice i sir retorted somewhat offended is it only us at this time o day an what did ye think we were for the last eleven years intend that s not bad an is all my an for that time is my eleven full stations to is two guineas a year to father tor masses is fifteen could a man get through all these humility why indeed i replied as you have put the question so directly to me i think it very possible he might oh i see sir said bud father an you a bit i think may i make to ax sir what you to i belong to the s 