When Jemmy entered, he looked first at the master for his welcome; but
the master, who verified the proverb, that there are none so blind as
those who will not see, took no notice whatsoever of him. The boy then
looked timidly about the school in quest of a friendly face, and indeed
few faces except friendly ones were turned upon him.
Several of the scholars rose up simultaneously to speak to him; but
the pedagogue angrily inquired why they had left their seats and their
business.
"Why, sir," said a young Munsterman, with a fine Milesian face--"be
gorra, sir, I believe if we don't welcome the poor scholar, I think you
won't. This is the boy, sir, that Mr. O'Brien came along wid yistherday,
an' spoke so well of."
"I know that, Thady; and Misther O'Brien thinks, because he himself
first passed through that overgrown hedge-school wid slates upon the
roof of it, called Thrinity College, and matriculated in Maynooth
afther, that he has legal authority to recommend every young vagrant to
the gratuitous benefits of legitimate classicality. An' I suppose, that
you are acting the Pathrun, too, Thady, and intind to take this young
wild-goose under your protection?"
"Why, sir, isn't he a poor scholar? Sure he mustn't want his bit an'
sup, nor his night's lodgin', anyhow. You're to give him his larnin'
only, sir."
"I suppose so, Mr. Thaddeus; but this is the penalty of celebrity. If I
weren't so celebrated a man for classics as I am, I would have none of
this work.
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