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

116 WILLY BUKKE; OR,
Everything in and around the house gave sad evidence of
poverty ; and it was with heartfelt sorrow that the young
Burkes noticed the alteration in poor Mrs. O'Grady herself,
who was now as pale and worn-looking as they had
been used to see her fat and rosy. Yet her welcome was
as kind and cordial as ever, and with adroit delicacy she
warded off all allusions to her own affairs. Before they
left, however, Willy took her aside, and said in a low
voice—for he had noticed that her husband was but very
poorly clad— " Now, Mrs. 0' Grady, if you can make any
use at all of my father's clothes, here 's the key of the
chest ; there 's a good coat, you know, and a good pair
of trowsers in it, an' I think a vest, too, an' they 're all
too big for either Peter or me. Don t refuse to take them
—now don't ; for wouldn't we rather a thousand times
that they 'd be doin' some good to somebody, than lyin'
there moulderin' away, as they '11 soon be ?"
Mrs. O' Grady put up her hand and wiped away a heavy
tear that was trickling down her cheek. " Well, God
bless you, Willy, and mark you with grace. I know very
well what makes you spake that way", and she glanced at
her husband's threadbare garments. " It 'd go against
my mind altogether to take the things, but then—necessity
has no law".
" An' I 'm sure, Mrs. O'Grady", urged Willy, with a
view to set her mind at ease, " I 'm sure you needn't be
ashamed to take the clothes, for we owe you what would
be far better to you than clothes, if we could only give it
to you ; but we may, with God's help, some of these
days".
" Now, I hope, Willy ", said Mrs. O'Grady, quickly,
*' that you '11 never say another word about that ;
didn't