noon precisely
When Father John met the pair , they had just been discussing the subject ; Cullen was far from making light of it ; for , in the first place , he believed every word McGovery told him , and in the next , he was shocked , and greatly grieved , that one of his own parishioners , and one also of the most respectable of them , should be concerned in such a business : he felt towards Keegan all the abhorrence which a very bigoted and ignorant Roman Catholic could feel towards a Protestant convert , but he would have done anything to prevent his meeting his death by the hands , or with the connivance , of Thady Macdermot . As soon as Cullen had heard McGovery 's statement -- which , by the by , had been made without any reference to his previous statement to Father John , or his warning to Captain Ussher -- he determined to tell it all to the parish priest , and to take McGovery with him . This plan did not , however , suit Denis at all , and he used all his eloquence to persuade Father Cullen , that if he told Mr. McGrath at all , he , Denis , had better not make one of the party ; and he was at the moment considering what excuse he could give for refusing to go into the priest 's cottage , when they met Father John on the road coming into Drumsna . Denis was greatly disconcerted , -- but Cullen , full of his news , and as eager to communicate it as if it had been arranged definitely that Keegan was to be put into the bog-hole at noon precisely , was very glad to see him , and instantly opened his budget . `` I 'm very glad to meet you this morning , Mr. McGrath , '' he began , `` and it 's well since you 're out so early , that it 's not the other way you went , -- for I 'd been greatly bothered if I had n't found you . '' `` But here I am , you see , -- and if it was only after me you were going , I suppose you can turn , for I 'm going to Drumsna . '' `` Oh to be sure I can ; do n't you be going , Denis McGovery . ''