im? And when he'd finish his own task for the day, how kindly he'd
begin an' help me wid mine! No, Vara, it goes to my heart to let him go
away upon sich a plan, and I wish he hadn't taken the notion into his
head at all."

"It's not too late, maybe," replied his mother: "I think it wouldn't
be hard to put him off of it; the crathur's own heart is failin' him to
lave us. He has sorrow upon his face where he lies."

The father looked at the expression of affectionate melancholy which
shaded hia features as he slept; and the perception of the boy's
internal struggle against his own domestic attachments in accomplishing
hia first determination, powerfully touched his heart.

"Vara," said he, "I know the boy--he won't give it up; and 'twould be a
pity--maybe a sin--to put him from it. Let the child get fair play, and
thry his coorse. If, he fails, he can come back to us, an' our arms an'
hearts will be open to welcome him! But, if God prospers him, wouldn't
it be a blessin' that we never expected, to see him in the white robes,
celebratin' one mass for his parents. If these ould eyes could see that,
I would be continted to close them in pace an' happiness for ever."

"An' well you'd become them, _avourneen machree!_ Well would your mild
and handsome countenance look wid the long heavenly stole of innocence
upon you! and although it's atin' into my heart, I'll bear it for the
sake of seein' the same blessed sight. Look at that face, Dominick;
mightn't many a lord of the land be proud to have sich a son? May the
heavens shower down its blessin' upon him!"

The father burst into tears. "It is--it is!" said he. "It is the face
that 'ud make many a noble heart proud to look at it! Is it any wondher
it 'ud cut our hearts, thin, to have it taken from afore our eyes? Come
away, Vara, come away, or I'll not be able to part wid it. It is the
lovely face--an' kind is the heart of my darlin' child!" As he spoke,
he stooped down and kissed the youth's cheek, on which the warm tears
of affection fell, soft as the dew from heaven. The mother followed his
example, and they both left the room.

"We must bear it," said Dominick, as they passed into another apartment;
"the money's gathered, an' it wouldn't look well to be goin' back wid it
to them that befrinded us. We'd have the blush upon our face for it, an'
the child no advantage."

"Thrue for you, Dominick; and we must make up our minds to live widout
him for a while."

The foll