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'How can you go to the land； and it under custodiam to yourself
already？' says Sir Condy； 'and another custodiam hanging over it？ And
no one at all can touch it； you know； but the custodees。'
'Sure； can't you sell； though at a loss？ Sure you can sell； and I've a
purchaser ready for you；' says Jason。
'Have you so？' says Sir Condy。 'That's a great point gained。 But
there's a thing now beyond all； that perhaps you don't know yet； barring
Thady has let you into the secret。'
'Sarrah bit of a secret； or anything at all of the kind； has he learned
from me these fifteen weeks come St。 John's Eve；' says I； 'for we have
scarce been upon speaking terms of late。 But what is it your honour
means of a secret？'
'Why； the secret of the little keepsake I gave my Lady Rackrent the
morning she left us； that she might not go back empty…handed to her
friends。'
'My Lady Rackrent； I'm sure； has baubles and keepsakes enough； as
those bills on the table will show；' says Jason； 'but whatever it is；' says he；
taking up his pen； 'we must add it to the balance； for to be sure it can't be
paid for。'
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'No； nor can't till after my decease；' says Sir Condy； 'that's one good
thing。' Then colouring up a good deal； he tells Jason of the memorandum
of the five hundred a…year jointure he had settled upon my lady； at which
Jason was indeed mad； and said a great deal in very high words； that it was
using a gentleman who had the management of his affairs； and was；
moreover； his principal creditor； extremely ill to do such a thing without
consulting him； and against his knowledge and consent。 To all which Sir
Condy had nothing to reply； but that； upon his conscience； it was in a
hurry and without a moment's thought on his part； and he was very sorry
for it； but if it was to do over again he would do the same； and he appealed
to me； and I was ready to give my evidence； if that would do； to the truth
of all he said。
So Jason with much ado was brought to agree to a compromise。
'The purchaser that I have ready；' says he； 'will be much displeased； to
be sure； at the encumbrance on the land； but I must see and manage him。
Here's a deed ready drawn up； we have nothing to do but to put in the
consideration money and our names to it。'
'And how much am I going to sell！the lands of O'Shaughlin's Town；
and the lands of Gruneaghoolaghan； and the lands of Crookagnawaturgh；'
says he； just reading to himself。 'Andoh； murder； Jason！ sure you
won't put this inthe castle； stable； and appurtenances of Castle Rackrent？'
'Oh； murder！' says I； clapping my hands； 'this is too bad； Jason。'
'Why so？' said Jason。 'When it's all； and a great deal more to the
back of it； lawfully mine； was I to push for it。'
'Look at him；' says I； pointing to Sir Condy； who was just leaning back
in his arm…chair； with his arms falling beside him like one stupefied； 'is it
you； Jason； that can stand in his presence； and recollect all he has been to
us； and all we have been to him； and yet use him so at the last？'
'Who will you find to use him better； I ask you？' said Jason； 'if he can
get a better purchaser； I'm content； I only offer to purchase； to make things
easy； and oblige him； though I don't see what compliment I am under； if
you come to that。 I have never had； asked； or charged more than
sixpence in the pound； receiver's fees； and where would he have got an
agent for a penny less？'
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'Oh； Jason！ Jason！ how will you stand to this in the face of the
county； and all who know you？' says I； 'and what will people think and say
when they see you living here in Castle Rackrent； and the lawful owner
turned out of the seat of his ancestors； without a cabin to put his head into；
or so much as a potato to eat？'
Jason； whilst I was saying this； and a great deal more； made me signs；
and winks； and frowns； but I took no heed； for I was grieved and sick at
heart for my poor master； and couldn't but speak。
'Here's the punch；' says Jason； for the door opened； 'here's the punch！'
Hearing that； my master starts up in his chair； and recollects himself；
and Jason uncorks the whisky。
'Set down the jug here；' says he； making room for it beside the papers
opposite to Sir Condy； but still not stirring the deed that was to make over
all。
Well； I was in great hopes he had some touch of mercy about him
when I saw him making the punch； and my master took a glass； but Jason
put it back as he was going to fill again； saying： 'No； Sir Condy； it shan't
be said of me I got your signature to this deed when you were half…seas
over： you know your name and handwriting in that condition would not； if
brought before the courts； benefit me a straw； wherefore； let us settle all
before we go deeper into the punch…bowl。'
'Settle all as you will；' said Sir Condy； clapping his hands to his ears；
'but let me hear no more。 I'm bothered to death this night。'
'You've only to sign；' said Jason； putting the pen to him。
'Take all； and be content；' said my master。 So he signed； and the man
who brought in the punch witnessed it； for I was not able； but crying like a
child； and besides； Jason said； which I was glad of； that I was no fit
witness； being so old and doting。 It was so bad with me； I could not taste a
drop of the punch itself； though my master himself； God bless him！ in
the midst of his trouble； poured out a glass for me； and brought it up to my
lips。
'Not a drop； I thank your honour's honour as much as if I took it；
though。' And I just set down the glass as it was； and went out； and when
I got to the street door the neighbours' childer； who were playing at
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marbles there； seeing me in great trouble； left their play； and gathered
about me to know what ailed me； and I told them all； for it was a grea