"Why, thin, 'tis a long journey you have before you, alanna, for I know
well it's for Munster you're bound."

"Thrue for you; 'tis there, wid the help of God, I'm goin'. A great
scarcity of larnin' was in my own place, or I wouldn't have to go at
all," said the boy, whilst his eyes filled with, tears.

"'Tis no discredit in life," replied the countryman, with untaught
natural delicacy, for he perceived that a sense of pride lingered about
the boy which made the character of poor scholar sit painfully upon him;
"'tis no discredit, dear, nor don't be cast down. I'll warrant you that
God will prosper you; an' that He may, avick, I pray this day!" and as
he spoke, he raised his hat in reverence to the Being whom he invoked.
"An' tell me, dear--where do you intend to sleep to-night?"

"In the town forrid here," replied Jemmy. "I'm in hopes I'll be able to
reach it before dark."

"Pooh! asy you will. Have you any friends or acquaintances there that
'ud welcome you, _a bouchal dhas_ (my handsome boy)?"

"No, indeed," said Jemmy, "they're all strangers to me; but I can stop
in 'dhry lodgin',' for it's chaper."

"Well, alanna, I believe you; but _I'm no stranger to you_--so come home
wid me to-night; where you'll get a good bed, and betther thratement nor
in any of their dhry lodgins. Give me your books, and I'll carry them
for you. Ethen, but you have a great batch o' them entirely. Can you
make any hand o' the Latin at all yet?"