"
"Well, but we want to hear what happened, Dominick, achora."
"Do you remimber the words, Vara?"
"Och! I do, avourneen. Didn't they go into my heart at the time, an' how
could I forget them? But I can't bear, somehow, to look back at what we
wor then, bekase I feel my heart brakin', acushla!"
"Well, Vara, look at me. Amn't I a poor wasted crathur now, in
comparishment to what I was thin?"
"God he sees the change that's in you, darlin'! But sure 'twasn't your
fau't, or mine either, Dominick, avilish!"
"Well, Vara, you see me now--I'm happpier--before God, I'm
happier--happier, a thousand degrees than I was thin! Come to my arms,
asthore machree--my heart s breakin'--but it's wid happiness--don't be
frightened--it's wid joy I'm sheddin' these tears--it's wid happiness
an' delight In' cryin'! Jemmy is livin', an' well, childhre--he's livin'
an' well, Vara--the star of our hearts is livin', an' well, an' happy!
Kneel down, childhre--kneel down! Bend before the great God, an' thank
him for his kindness to your blessed brother--to our blessed son.
Bless the Colonel, childhre; bless him whin you're down, Protestant an'
all, as he is. Oh, bless him as if you prayed for myself, or for Jemmy,
that's far away from us!"
He paused for a few minutes, bent his head upon his hands as he knelt
in supplication at the chair, then resumed his seat, as did the whole
family, deeply affected.
"Now, childhre," said he, "I'll tell yez all; but don't any of you be so
poor a crathur as I was to-day.
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