Here the humble lad is not met by the
sneer of purse-proud insolence, or his simple tale answered only in the
frown of heartless contempt. No--no--no. The best bit and sup are placed
before him; and whilst his poor, but warm-hearted, entertainer can
afford only potatoes and salt to his own half-starved family, he will
make a struggle to procure something better for the poor scholar;
'_Becase he's far from his own, the craihur!_ An' sure the intuition in
him is good, anyhow; the Lord prosper him, an' every one that has the
heart set upon the larnin'!'
As Jemmy proceeded, he found that his satchel of books and apparel gave
as clear an intimation of his purpose, as if he had carried a label to
that effect upon his back.
"God save you, a bouchal!" said a warm, honest-looking countryman, whom
he met driving home his cows in the evening, within a few miles of the
town in which he purposed to sleep.
"God save you kindly!"
"Why, thin, 'tis a long journey you have before you, alanna, for I know
well it's for Munster you're bound."
"Thrue for you; 'tis there, wid the help of God, I'm goin'. A great
scarcity of larnin' was in my own place, or I wouldn't have to go at
all," said the boy, whilst his eyes filled with, tears.
"'Tis no discredit in life," replied the countryman, with untaught
natural delicacy, for he perceived that a sense of pride lingered about
the boy which made the character of poor scholar sit painfully upon him;
"'tis no discredit, dear, nor don't be cast down.
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