Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

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98 WILLY BTJKKE ; OR,
evident enough that the under current of ridicule was going
on. More than once did Willy observe some one of
the young men raising his hands and eyes to heaven with
so ludicrous an air of mock devotion, that himself could
scarce refrain from joining in the laugh that followed.
Then another would strike his breast with his clenched
hand, and murmur some one of the phrases of the litany,
which he had heard the night before. The repeated bursts
of laughter which these derisive tricks called forth, overwhelmed
Peter with shame ; and although it was yet considerably
before the time for grand Mass, yet, seeing his
brother's confusion, Willy said to him, " I think its time
to go to church, Peter : we know the way ourselves, an*
we needn't wait for Mrs, Malcolm. Are you ready to
come ?" Peter got up in silence, and reached for his
cap.
" I say, Hamilton", said one of the younger clerks,
aloud, " aren't you for church this morning ? The
weather is very tempting".
u Not I, faith", was the prompt rejoinder— " I 'm for
Staten Island—catch me in a church such a morning as
this. Come, get ready— who 's for the water ? We '11
have a glorious sail ; and you know we can say the
Litany upstairs to-night". Then, turning to the Burkes,
as they left the room, without seeming to notice his
ironical hint a You '11 say an extra Pater and Ave for
us ; won't you, my lads ?"
" We '11 pray for all sinners—if that '11 do ye", said
Willy, with a tartness little usual to him, as, putting on
his cap in the hall, he reached to open the door.
A general laugh followed this repartee, " There now,
Hamilton, you 've got it, eh ?—haven't you ?—the lad '&