y the low
whistling of a familiar Irish air in the yard below. Looking out, she
observed her lame brother, Phelim, making signs for her to come out. A
little alarmed lest some evil had befallen her mother she hurried out
to meet him.

"What is it, Phelim? What is the matther, dear?"

"Matther, do you ask? Well, the matther is, that ye're not to coom
home till ye're sent for. Are ye not ashamed to make such a row?"

"I don't know what you mean. Sit down, Phelim dear; you're over weak
to keep standin' so. Does the new liniment no help ye at all? And ye
must carry home the money to mother, and the tea, and the sugar, and
some nice warm woollen stockings that Mrs. Lee showed me how to knit
for yerself, darlin'; and Heaven grant that it's no a bad turn o'
pain ye will get in yer bones by cooming to tell me. There's a
cranberry-pie that Mrs. Lee was to send for your own self, Phelim
dear; it will relish better than our mother's plain cooking."

The thought of eating the dainty so thoughtfully provided, produced a
choking sensation in the boy's throat, as if it had there come into a
collision with his wrath against heretics. But he said nothing, and
Annorah went on:--

"I've been making some caps for mother; but ye're no able to carry so
many things at once, poor fellow."

Still Phelim did not speak, but he gazed earnestly into her face. The
moon was up, and he could plainly see the traces of tears on her
cheek, and the sad but loving expression of her eyes as she returned
his gaze.

"An' it's the Protestant religion that makes you so good and kind,
Norah," he said at length; "our Lady help me, and I could just be a
heretic wi' ye!"

"It's little I know yet o' the truth, but, O Phelim, it's a lovely way
to heaven; and the swate, blessed feeling that fills up the heart when
I pray straight up to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, is better than to
have all the diamonds in a queen's crown. It makes me so light and
happy; so contented intirely. It quiets the bad temper into perfect
peace; and I love, as I never dreamed of doing before, all my friends
and enemies too. It's little I know yet, Phelim, but all the gould in
the world, and all the world's hate too, shall not hinder me from
learning more o' God's wonderful way to save sinners. But hurry home
now, Phelim, mavourneen; the raw night air is no good for ye."

"They may say what they will, Norah," said the boy, "but I'm sure I
will love ye for ever. An' ye'll tache me