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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 33
he laid a sneering emphasis on the adjective) ; for since
she cannot conscientiously allow her son to take lessons
from a Protestant teacher, or to stndy Protestant books,
it were cruel to insist on her continuing to receive Protes-
tant money. Get rid of her at once".
" Certainly, my dear, since you wish it", was Mrs.
Watkins's dutiful reply ; so poor Mrs. Burke was paid off,
and informed that her services were no longer required.
" An' about the clothes, ma'am, that you kindly gave
Willy ; I suppose he 's not to have them now ?" This was
said as Mrs. Burke was about to leave the room.
" "You can keep them for a few days, as you may probably
think better of this matter. If so, I shall be glad
to employ you again, and^will do
son".
all I promise for your
" Many thanks, ma'am, for all your goodness ; but, with
Ood's help, my mind can never change about that school
so I '11 bring home the things in the mornin', as you might
be wantin' them for some other boy that you 'd wish to
send to school the same way". There was a slight, an al-
most imperceptible tincture of irony in the last words, of
which the speaker herself was scarcely aware ;
no small offence to her two hearers,
but it gave
who, when she was
gone, launched out into bitter invectives against Irish
Papists, which lasted till their horses were announced.
" Well, mother", said Willy, as his mother entered their
poor but neat dwelling, " what did the lady say ?"
" Indeed, Willy dear, she said and did what I did 'nt
expect from her ; poor, simple woman that I was, sure I
thought she wouldn't be angry with us for bein' thrue to
our own religion ; but, God help me, I knew little about
it ; not only herself, but Mr. Watkins himself thried to
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