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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 87
wouldn't wish to part with any of the clothes, sir (unless
it was to pay my mother's little debt), because it '11 do
us good to look at them now an' then ; sure we have
nothing else to put us in mind of them that 's gone. My
poor mother hadn't anything that 'id be of use to anybody,
for her clothes were all worn out a'most ; but we
have her shawl an' bonnet, an' some other little things that
she used to wear, locked up with the rest" ; he stopped
suddenly, overcome by his emotion, while Peter and the
little girls burst into tears. The good priest, although
his own eyes bore witness of his sympathy, yet thought
it time to put a stop to this, and therefore desired them
all to prepare for their departure They descended the
stairs in silent sorrow, the children turning several times
to take a last look of the now deserted dwelling. When
they had reached the foot of the stairs, where a short
passage led to Mrs. O' Grady's apartments, Willy asked
the priest whether they might not step in to say " fare-
well", and Father Fitzherbert, having nodded assent, the
whole four hastened away, while the priest himself walked
slowly after them. He was just in time to witness the
parting, and heard them tell Mrs. O'Grady, with innocent
exultation, that they had each some " token " of their
poor mother.
u Look here, Mrs. O'Grady", said Ally, the eldest girl
u sure I have mother's beads", drawing them from her
bosom as she spoke ;
on them night an' mornin' ".
u an', plase God, I '11 say my pravers
f* An' I have somethin' too, so I have !" cried Biddy,
the youngest, holding up a pair of scissors. " I have
mammy's scissors", and she kissed them with childish
fondness.