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

140 WILLY BUKKE ; OR,
much gratified by the result of his own question, " I '11
say whatever you wish, my young friend. But what a
beautiful thing this is, even apart from its religious value
the workmanship is exquisite".
" Does your reverence indeed think so ?" said Willy,
with a brightening countenance.
" Then, if I 'm not glad
its a wonder, for I just got another like it for your re-
verence, and I gave you Father Maloney's first, till I 'd see
what you thought of it. Won't you take it, Father Fitzherbert
?" for he saw that the priest drew back, and re-
mained silent.
" Sure, sir, if you had seen the little girls
when I told them of what I intended doing with the
money—if you had seen how overjoyed they were, you
wouldn't have the heart to refuse it ".
" I do not mean to refuse your gift, my child ", said the
priest, in a low voice, " though I confess myself unwilling
to receive so costly a present from you, friendless orphans*
But I well know the pleasure you have in giving it ; and
I cannot bring myself to inflict upon you the pain of a
disappointment".
" Thank you, sir", said Willy, as though he had just
received some great favour. " And now, your reverence,
I '11 just trouble you with another little parcel for Ireland.
There 's our old schoolmaster, sir—Master Dogherty
—Father Maloney will have him come to see you
and I want to send him this prayer-book ; its one that I
got for myself three or four months ago, and, as its a nice
gilt one, sir, and not a bit soiled yet, the old man will be
well pleased to get it all the road from America. I hope,
your reverence, I 'm not giving you too much trouble ?"
" By no means, Willy"; and the old man wiped away
a tear as he spoke. " And now, in return, let me give
— :
*