The neighbours, to be sure, were vexed and nettled
at the obstinacy of their credulity, especially on reflecting
that they were as sceptical in giving credence to the
narrative of any other person as all rational people ought
to be. The manner of training up PheUm, and Phelim's
method of governing them, had become a by-word in



PHELIM o'tOOLE's COURTSHIP. 53

the village. " Take a sthraw to him, like Sheelah
O'Toole," was often ironically said to mothers remarkable
for mischievous indulgence to their children.
