But indeed, as I said, Bryan, the task must fall to you to
strengthen and console every one o' them. Ay!--an' you must begin now.
You wor ever, ever, a good son; an' may God keep you in the right faith,
an' may my blessin' an' His be wid you for ever! Amin."
There was a solemn and sustaining spirit in her words which strengthened
Bryan, who, besides, felt anxious to accomplish to the utmost extent the
affectionate purpose which had caused her to send for him.
"It's a hard task, mother darlin," he replied; "but I'll endeavor, with
God's help, to let them see that I haven't been your son for nothing;
but you don't know, mother, that Kathleen's here, an' Hanna. They wish
to see you, an' to get your blessin'."
"Bring them in," she replied, "an' let Dora come wid them, an' stay
yourself, Bryan, becaise I'm but weak, an' I don't wish that they should
stay too long. God sees its not for want of love for the other girls
that I don't bid you bring them in, but that I don't wish to see them
sufferin' too much sorrow; but my darlin' Dora will expect to be where
Kathleen is, an' my own eyes likes to look upon her, an' upon Kathleen,
too, Bryan, for I feel my heart bound to her as if she was one of
ourselves, as I hope she will be."
"Oh, bless her! bless her! mother," he said, with difficulty, "an' tell
her them words--say them to herself.
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