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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 175
but we '11 send him vere he deserves to go, and let him
see if his cross—dat piece of black wood dere—vill take
him out. Go off some one for de police".
In vain did Mrs. Malcolm beg, even with tears, that
the matter might be examined farther before such a decisive
step was taken ; and even Mr. Talbot suggested
that it might be postponed till the following day. No,
no ; Weimar was determined, and would not hear a
word.
" Well, gentlemen", said Mrs. JIalcolm, " since I find
that you, at least Mr. Weimar, is determined to push it
as far as he can against this puir fatherless and motherless
bairn, I canna refrain from sayin', that ye 're a going
to commit a grievous sin ; he 's no more guilty than I
am—I see that plainly ; and something tells me that the
culprit is here present".
Every one stared at her ; and Mr. Weimar asked her
what she meant. She made him no reply ; for her eyes
had been fixed on Wilson's face with a look of intense
scrutiny ; and when she saw him shrink before her, and
his whole face become red as scarlet, she cried out aloud,
pointing to him with her finger— "Look there, Mr.
Weimar ! look there, Mr. Talbot ! I 'd wager my best
new gown that there s guilt ; for its an auld saying, that
* a guilty conscience needs no accuser'. Look at him, I
say, and then look at Willy Burke. Do you see any
signs 6' confusion or shame about him ? Na, na, for he 's
innocent; but, Georgie Wilson, I say, before God and
man, an' I care na wha hears it, that you took away that
parcel, to have the blame fall on Willy Burke".
" Its a lie, a black, malicious lie, you old Papist
hag", cried Wilson, turning pale with anger. " You