Why, then," he added, "in the name o'
mercy, Kathleen, what has come over you, to trate a respectable young
man like. Hycy Burke in that style?"
"Simply, father, because I don't wish to receive any messages at all
from him."
"But your mother an' I is of a different opinion, Kathleen. We wish you
to resave messages from him; an' you know you're bound both by the laws
of God an' man to obey us an' be guided by us."
"I know I am, father," she replied; "an' I hope I haven't been an
undutiful child to either of you for so far."
"That's true, Kathleen--God sees it's truth itself."
"What message do you expect to bring back, Nanny?" said the mother,
addressing the girl.
"An answer," replied the girl, seeing that everything must be and was
above board--"an answer to the letther he sent her."
"Did he send you a letther?" asked her father, seriously; "an' you never
let us know a word about it?--did he send you a letther?"
Kathleen paused a moment and seemed to consult Hanna's looks, who had
now joined them. At length she replied, slowly, and as if in doubt
whether she ought to speak in the affirmative or not--"no, he sent me no
letter."
"Well now, take care, Kathleen," said her mother; "I seen a letther in
your hands this very mornin'."
Kathleen blushed deeply; but as if anxious to give the conversation
another turn, and so to relieve herself, she replied, "I can't prevent
you, mother, or my father either, from sending back whatever answer you
wish; but this I say that, except the one I gave already, Hycy Burke
will never receive any message or any answer to a message from me; an'
now for the present let us drop it.
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