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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 75
for you to remain over night ? I should think there are
far too many around her, and that she would be much
better if left alone with the nurse, who seems, by-the-by,
a very sensible and experienced person. And then Mr.
Watkins will not think of coming to fetch me, naturally
expecting that you will come back with me ; so that if
you do not come, I shall be really forced to go home alone,
and at a most unseasonable hour!"
u No, no, ma'am !" said Peter, quickly ; " there 's no
need of your goin' home by yourself; for sure I can go
an' lave you at home, an' then come back. But, as for
stayin' away all night from my poor mother, an' it may
be the last night we 'd have her—oh, no ! ma'am ! I
wouldn't take a mint of money an' do it. God forbid
that I 'd be so hard-hearted or unnatural !" and the poor
fellow's tears burst forth anew.
At this moment, when Mrs. Watkins was just about
to renew her attack, the inner door opened, and Father
Fitzherbert came out, asking for Mrs. O'Grady, Peter
instantly ran to call her, and then would have passed into
the room after the priest, who had left the door open, but
Mrs. Watkins, moving after him, requested to know
whether she might not see Mrs. Burke for a moment
before she left.
" Yis to be sure, ma'am !" was the faint response from
and the lady sat down again, following with her
the bed ;
scrutinizing eyes the motions of the priest, who still wore
his stole.
" Perhaps, madam !" said Father Fitzherbert, addres-
sing the lady, whom he knew only by Mrs. Burke's account
; " perhaps you do not know that I am about to
administer the Holy Eucharist to Mrs. Burke, and you