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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 139
On the following evening, punctual to his promise^
came Willy Burke, and he fortunately found Father Fitzherbert
alone, poring over some old papers. " Well,
Willy ", said the old man with a benignant smile, " you
are come to spend the last evening with the old priest.
1 expect Mr. Talbot here by-and-by, as he was good
enough to say he would come ".
" Then I must hurry and tell your reverence what I
.came for ", said Willy. " I wouldn 't like Mr. Talbot to
hear me. First, there 's your book, sir ; and I 'm for
ever obliged to you, not only for it, but for all the fine
bcoks ever you lent me ". He laid the book on the
table, and then, drawing from the pocket of his overcoat
a small parcel, he opened it quickly, and disclosed a very
beautiful silver crucifix, some five or six inches long.
u This, sir", said he, "is a little present that I would
wish to send to Father Maloney, for you said you hoped
to see him. You '11 be good enough to tell him, sir, that
it was Andy Burke's children sent it as a small token of
their gratitude, and to show him that they haven't forgotten
him ".
" But, Willy", said the priest, " I should rather tell my
old friend that it was yourself— Willy Burke, his old
favourite—that sent this beautiful present". He spoke
inquiringly, and Willy eagerly replied
—
"Oh, no, sir, by no manner ofmeans. Sure didn't Alice
and Bridget put in a dollar ; and as for poor Peter, sir,
I wouldn't for the world that Father Maloney would think
that he 'd forget him, any more than us. Oh, no, your
reverence, if you please, you '11 say
children' ".
" Well, well " 5
c Andy Burke's
said the good priest, who was in reality