would the creatures go to in
their trouble but the old priest that christened and married the most
of them? But, indeed, thanks be to God, things is improving. The fishing
brings in a lot of money to the men, and there's a better breed of
cattle in the country now, and the pigs fetch a good price since we had
the railway to Clifden, and maybe the last few years I might have saved
a little, but I didn't. Indeed, I don't know where it is the money goes
at all, but someway it's never at rest in my breeches pockets till it's
up and off somewhere. God forgive us! it's more careful we ought to be.'

'But, Father Moran, I don't----'

'Arrah then, will you cease your talking for one minute, and let me get
a word in edgeways for your own good? What was I saying? Oh, I was just
after telling you I hadn't got the money to help you. But maybe I might
manage to get it. The man in the bank in Clifden knows me. I borrowed a
few pounds off him two years ago when the Cassidys' house and three more
beside it got blown away in the big wind. Father Joyce put his name on
the back of the bill along with my own, and trouble enough I had to get
him to do it, for he said I ought to put an appeal in the newspapers,
and I'd get the money given to me. But I never was one to go begging
round the country. I said I'd rather borrow the money and pay it back
like a decent man. And so I did, every penny of it. And I think the bank
will trust me now, with just your name and mine, more especially as
it's to buy a boat we want the money. What do you say to that, now?' He
looked at Hyacinth triumphantly.

'Father Moran, you're too good to me--you're too good altogether. What
did ever I do to deserve such kindness from you? But you're all wrong.
I've got plenty of money.'

'And why in the name of all that's holy didn't you tell me so at once,
and not keep me standing here twisting my brains into hard knots with
thinking out ways of getting what you don't want? If you've got the
money you'll buy the boat. What better could you do with it?'

'But I don't want to buy the boat. I don't want to live here always. I'm
going away out into the world. I want to see things and do things.'

'Out into the world! Will you listen to the boy? Is it America you're
thinking of? Ah, now, there's enough gone out and left us lonely here.
Isn't the best of all the boys and girls going to work for the strangers
in the strange land? and why would you be going after them?'

'