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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 99
not so foolish after all". And as the boys descended the
steps from the door, they still heard the merry clatter of
tongues within.
When Mass was over, the brothers went together to see
their sisters, and if they had not met for years the little
girls could not have been more rejoiced. It was with
glad and grateful hearts that Peter and Willy heard the
artless praise wherewith the children spoke of their benefactress,
who, it appeared, was a woman of rare benevo-
lence. " An' sure she 's gettin' us nice black dresses
made, for she says we ought to have mournin' for poor
mother", said little Bridget, while her sister caught up
the words with, " an' it 'id do ye good to hear her how
she advises us—an' she gets us to tell her everything
about poor father an' mother, an' then the tears '11 be
standin' in her eyes, and she '11 tell us that we ought to
be thankful to God for havin' given us such parents, an*
she makes us pray for them every night an' mornin' ".
This account was truly welcome to the brothers, and
before they left they made it a point to see the good lady,
and thank her for her almost unexampled kindness to
their orphan sisters. Mrs. then inquired how they
liked their own situation, and was much pleased by
Willy's account of Mr. Talbot. She was glad to hear,
too, that the housekeeper where they boarded was a
Catholic, and took occasion to warn them that they must
not suffer themselves to be deterred from performing any
duty of religion, how trifling soever in itself, by the covert
sneers and open ridicule of their companions. " Always
remember", she said, " that you, as Catholics, stand on a
high vantage-ground over all other religious persuasions,
and as you love your own souls, see that you never forget