“Father Purdon? Father Purdon?” said the invalid.
“O, you must know him, Tom,” said Mr Cunningham stoutly. “Fine jolly fellow! He’s a man of the world like ourselves.”
“Ah, ... yes. I think I know him. Rather red face; tall.”
“That’s the man.”
“And tell me, Martin.... Is he a good preacher?”
“Munno.... It’s not exactly a sermon, you know. It’s just kind of a friendly talk, you know, in a common-sense way.”
Mr Kernan deliberated.
Mr M’Coy said:
“Father Tom Burke, that was the boy!”