Here am I, come at his father's wish to take care of him, and he's big enough to take care of me." "But--I beg your pardon," cried Nic--"you know my mother, madam ?" "To be sure I do, and the two girls; and here's a batch of letters I've brought." "Oh, tell me, please," cried Nic excitedly, taking the letters with trembling hand,--"my mother and Janet and Hilda, what are they like ?" "Gently, gently," cried the lady; "where will I find breath to answer your questions?
Why, the poor boy's like an orphan, Dr Dunham, living all these years away from home." "Mrs Dunham and I try to make this my pupils' home," said the doctor, with dignity.
"Yes, I know," said the lady, smiling a broad, pleasant smile, and showing her fine white teeth; "but sure, doctor, there's no place like home.

It's very pleasant out yonder with Sir John, but I long for wild old Galway, where I was born.

Well, Dominic, and do you know what I've come for ?" "You said something about taking care of me, madam," stammered Nic.
"Ah, and don't stammer and blush like a great gyurl, and don't call me madam.

I am a very old friend now of your dear mother, and I've come to take you back with me over the salt say--I mean sea, doctor, but I always called it say when I was a gyurl.

I was in England a great deal after I was married, but the fine old pronunciation clings to me still, and I'm not ashamed." "Why should you be, Lady O'Hara ?" said the doctor in his most courtly manner, as he rose.