The Saint Paul globe., 1900-11-12
CHAPTER w.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL.

Molly found Miss ONein more
entertaining companion at dinner than
she had proved herself at tea; the con-
versation turning on general topics, and
being sustained by the old lady with
unfiagging cheerfulness.
Towards the end of the repast q GU
rious ceremonial took place, which
amused Molly as much as it surprised
her. When the dessert had been placed
on the table after the removal of the
cloth, in good old-fashioned style, at
sign from Miss O'Neill (Who had hitherto
drunk nothing, though her guest had
been accommodated with a tall wine
glass full of clareD the butler marched
solemnly up to her, decanter in hand.
He was followed by one of the footmen,
who bore, on a cUriously-traced bronze
salver, a large cup or goblet seemingly
of pure gold but which, on closer eXam-
nation, Molly discovered to be inlaid with
variety of metals. 1t was completely
covered with delicate tracery, and or
namented with precious stones.
This is an heirloom said Miss O'Neill,
taking it from the tray when the butler
had partially filed it; 'one of the most
valuable specimens of early Irish art in
existence. Yes, look at 1t we'll my dear,
and be proud of your country. See
what it could produce when other nG-
tions were sunk in barbarism."
DO you drink out Of it every day?'
asked Molly, little regretful that such
a precious relic should be in common
use.
."Of course I do" returned her hostess
in dignified tones. 'TO what better use
could it be put? The lips of an ONeill
carry no desecration in their touch. Out
of this goblet the kings of our house
were wont to drink success to their
troops before setting out for battle;
in later times this was the flowing cup
passed round from hand to hand in state
ly family gatherings. Now you and [
are apparently the only Representatives |
of our race. / drink to you Molly i
She raised the goblet to her lips and
slowly quaffed its contents, while her
butler and footman looked on in solemn |
apathy.
There, my dear" said Miss O'NeiIl, |
''you see 1 like to keep up the customs |
that were in use in our family from time |
immemorial When 1 drink out of my
old cup, l am carried back in imagina- |
ton hundreds of years, and can fancy |
myself at one of the magnificent ban |
quets of yOre at the close of which it |
used to be presented to the sovereign In |
bended knee. 1t is in memory of this |
custom that 1 make it a point of always |
thinking after dinner-besides, it is bet /
Ter for the digestion.
This practical conclusion to a somewhat |
Brandiloquent speech was almost too |
meStics paced majectically away with |
the empty goblet she had much difficulty |
In restraining a burst of laughter The |
whole thing was so utterly incongruous; |
this beautiful old relic of bygOne age, the |
quaint, stately little ceremonial SO pune |
tiliously gone through-and then the but |
ler, with his white top-knot the footman |
in his eXtremelyly modern livery, and, as
an anti-climaX, the old lady's impartial |
ar,d fov 1xeZf
On returning to the drawing room after
dinner Miss o Neil1 pulled a pretty work |
table towards her and drew therefrom, |
not the dainty lace-work or fanciful ON |
broidery which would seem best suited /
to such delicate fingers, but partially |
made petticoat of coarse red flannel.
81 like useful work" she remarked, |
"ahd at this times of year the whole /
population of the district appears TO
stand in need of clothing. Now, as you |
don't seem to have anything particular |
TO do. you might read me the newspa
per-
Certainly" said Molly, taking up her |
position beside her. and unfolding the |
paper which was handed to her.
Begin with the births, deaths and
marriages, child. and then go to the
Summary.
Molly complied, and the hostess lis
tened, evincing the hveliest interest in
the list OF deaths, and groaning and
shaking her head over the maria ageS, in |
what her guest considered to be an in
eXplicable manner.
Shall read the parliamentary neWs?" |
asked the latter. when she had exhaust !
ed the smaller items of intelligence
Certainly not" responded Miss O'Neill |
decidedly. Politics don't interest me in
the least nowadays. They were worth
giving ones attention to in olden times, |
though. Dear what rebel l was once! |
don't suppose any of the leaders of the
movement in rs took it more keenly to
heart than l did"
''ThenI should have thought you would
would have been a Nationalist now?' re-
marked Molly diffidently.
Nationalist" Shrek OF hor-
by no means, my dear-do you want
me to mix up with ali the tag-rag and
bobtail Of the country? The rising of AS
was a very different matter With an
O'Brien of Thomond at the head a de-
scendant of the great King Brian l., no
one, even of the first family, need have
been ashamed to take an interest in it."
. Here she laid aside her work and walk
ed over to the fireplace, extending her
transparent looking hands to the blaze,
but gazing over her should at Molly.
There was a noble act in view then;
the re-estabishment of ancient rights.
the possible restoration of a throne long
laid low. Many believed that an OBrien |
of Thomond would again rule over the |
land as in former days. Now this is
purely movement Of the people, and as
such cannot countenance it,
This was spoken with rs great an as. |
sumptioE of dignified importance as |
though Magma Charta were waiting for |
her signature.
''Bur perhaps some members of the |
really cid hish families are mixed up |
with this movement" suggested Molly, /
laughing. She held no very pronounced |
political opinions herself, newspapers be-
ing amongst the luxuTies taboocd by her
aunt, but was desjrous of proonging the
argument. being vastly entertained by
the old lady's views.
'"Fhat depends on what you call old