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

160 WILLY BURKE; OR,
CHAPTER X.
THE CRUCIFIX.
\T was a matter of agreeable surprise to
Willy, that from that time forward a
marked change for the better was visible
in all his companions, Wilson not excepted.
He was no longer treated with
that contempt which it had so long
been his lot to bear ; and if a sly sarcasm
did once in a while meet his ear, directed either
against his religion or himself, it had no longer the bitterness
which formerly characterized all such discourse addressed
to him in the house. This change was, indeed, most
welcome to poor Willy, coming as it did at a time when he
was harassed with anxiety about his brother, and he hailed
the unwonted civility of his companions with thankfulness
and joy. Wilson was now, above all others, the most
cheerful, and nothing could exceed his kindness to Willy,
whom he jocularly called his protege; " for", said he, " you
have actually converted me from the error of my ways,
and I owe you so much gratitude that I shall for the future
declare myself your friend on all occasions, and defend you
from all possible attacks on the score of religion, although
I do not intend to become a Catholic— just yet".
Willy Burke smiled, and professed himself very grateful
for the good intentions of his new friend, although he
could not but find the change rather sudden. " I can't
understand it at all", would he say to himself " ; but then
what good would it do him to make a show of bein' my