This fellow shows up in a pub one day and orders three pints of ale. He takes sips from each glass until they are empty and calls the bartender for three more. The bartender says, "Hey, pal, I don’t mind bringing one at a time, then they’ll be fresh and cold."

"Nah...ahm preferrin’ that ya bring ‘em three at a time.

Y’see, me and m’ two brothers would meet at a pub each week and have a couple of ales and have good times. Now one is in Australia, the other in Canada, and I’m here. We agreed before we split up that we’d enjoy an ale this way to each other’s honor."

"Well," says the bartender, "That’s a nice sentimental thing to do. I’ll bring the pints as you ask."

Time goes on and the fellow’s peculiar habit is known and accepted by all the pub regulars. Then one day he comes in and orders only two pints. A hush falls over the pub.

Understandably, everyone assumes something happened to one of the brothers. A bunch of the regulars corner the bartender and finally persuade him to find out what happened. With a heavy heart, the bartender brings the two pints and says, "Here’s your pints...and let me offer my sincerest condolences. What happened to your brother?"

The fellow looks puzzled for a moment, then he realizes the intent of the question. Laughing, he says, "No, no! ‘Tis nothing like that! You see,