a as in ale ordinarily ends with a vanish of i as in ill.

Mr Pecksniff was a moral man — a grave man, a man of noble sentiments and speech — and he had had her christened Mercy. Mercy! oh, what a charming name for such a pure–souled Being as the youngest Miss Pecksniff! Her sister’s name was Charity. There was a good thing! Mercy and Charity!

--Don't you know he's dead? says Joe. --Paddy Dignam dead! says Alf. --Ay, says Joe. --Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf, as plain as a pikestaff. --Who's dead? says Bob Doran. --You saw his ghost then, says Joe, God between us and harm.

As Overbrook helped him with his coat, Babbitt said, “Nice to rub up on the old days! We must have lunch together, P.D.Q.”