"
"She had betther not, while I'm to the fore," said her mistress. "What
is she herself? Sure if it was a sin to be poor, God help the world. No;
it's neither a sin nor a shame."
"Thanks be to God, no," said Owen: "it's neither the one nor the other.
So long as we keep a fair name, an' a clear conscience, we can't ever
say that our case is hard."
After some further conversation, a comfortable breakfast was prepared
for them, of which they partook with an appetite sharpened by their long
abstinence from food. Their stay here was particularly fortunate, for as
they were certain of a cordial welcome, and an abundance of that which
they much wanted--wholesome food--the pressure of immediate distress
was removed. They had time to think more accurately upon the little
preparations for misery which were necessary, and, as the day's leisure
was at their disposal, Kathleen's needle and scissors were industriously
plied in mending the tattered clothes of her husband and her children,
in order to meet the inclemency of the weather.
On the following morning, after another abundant breakfast, and
substantial marks of kindness from their entertainers, they prepared
to resume their new and melancholy mode of life. As they were about to
depart, the farmer's wife addressed them in the following terms--the
farmer himself, by the way, being but the shadow of his worthy partner
in life--
Wife--"Now, good people, you're takin' the world on your heads--"
Farmer--"Ay, good people, you're takin' the world on your heads--"
Wife--"Hould your tongue, Brian, an' suck your dhudeen.
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