This unfortunate counthry, Bridget, has changed, an' is changin'
fast for the worse. The landlord hasn't proved himself to be towards us
what he ought to be, and what we expected he would; an' so, rather than
remain at the terms he axes from us, it's better for us to thry our
fortune in America; bekaise, if we stay here, we must only come to
poverty an' destitution, an' sorrow; an' you know how it 'ud break my
heart to see our childre' brought to that, in the very place where they
wor always respected. They're all good to me, as they ever wor to' us
both, acushla machree; but poor Bryan, that you loved so much--your
favorite and your pride--has had much to suffer, darlin', since you left
us; but blessed be God, he bears it manfully and patiently, although
I can see by the sorrow on my boy's brow that the heart widin him is
breakin'. He's not, afther all, to be married, as you hoped and wished
he would, to Kathleen Cavanagh. Her mind has been poisoned against him;
but little she knows him, or she'd not turn from him as she did. An'
now, Bridget, asthore machree, is it come to this wid me? I must lave
you for ever. I must lave--as my father said, that went this day to
heaven as you know, now--I must lave, as he said, the ould places. I
must go to a strange country, and sleep among a strange people; but
it's for the sake of our childre' I do so, lavin' you alone there where
you're sleepin'? I wouldn't lave you if I could help it; but we'll
meet yet in heaven, my blessed wife, where there won't be distress, or
injustice, or sorrow to part us.
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