order that he might pour into it a propitiatory
oblation. He cleared his throat once or twice before he spoke.

"Very true, Father, very true. I used to think the same thing in
England. The chaps I used to meet there--no one would know what
religion they belong to, no more than if they were heathens. That
young lad that you weren't pleased with--young Coppinger--I believe
he's as good a Catholic as any of us, but he happens to be thrown
mostly among Protestants. I often think it's no more than our duty as
Catholics to try and see as much as we can of him. He and Barty here,
got to be very great with each other the time he was with us, but it's
only an odd time now that we get a sight of him."

"I was talking to him a long while, the last time he was home," said
Barty, looking up, with something smouldering in his voice, "he told
me he was going to Oxford next October. It's well to be him!" he ended
defiantly.

"Now, I wouldn't be too sure of that at all!" said Father Greer, with
a smoothness that implied the laying aside of the _ankus_; "I
think, my young friend, that your good father's house is as safe and
happy a place for you as you could wish for!" He turned to the Doctor.
"I may say that there is a belief among certain classes that no one is
properly edjucated without they've been sent to England. I thought my
friend Barty, was a better Irishman than it seems he is!"

"I'm as good an Irishman as any man!" said Barty, in a sudden blaze,
"and may-be better than some!"

His face had turned white, and his eyes, that were as large and dark
as his mother's, met those of Father Greer with the courage of anger.

"What harm is it to want to get a better education than what I have? I
don't see why I shouldn't want to go to Oxford, or Switzerland either,
for the matter o' that--as well as another!"

Father Greer, as Dr. Mangan remarked subsequently, took Barty's making
a fool of himself very well. He put his head on one side, his black
eyebrows went up, and he again uttered that succession of sniffs that
served him for a laugh.

"It seems that I have made a railing accusation without meaning it,
and brought down fire from heaven, like the Prophet Elijah, only to
find that I am myself to forrum the burnt offering!" he said,
pleasantly. "Well, well, Barty, don't consume me entirely in your just
indignation, and I'll promise you to make no insinuendoes in future as
to whether you're a good or bad Irishman!"

I am unab