ong behind them, and then Rupert brought up Denis, who was
received in the kindest manner, faithful Raff coming in for a share of
their attention.

Another person soon appeared upon the scene. A gaunt woman, her grey
hair destitute of cap, a red shawl over her shoulders, came rushing down
the steps, a basting ladle in her hand, which she threw unconsciously to
the ground, while she stretched out her arms as she gazed at Percy, and
throwing them round him, exclaimed--

"Sure it's Masther Percy himself come home at last. Welcome, welcome!
It does my heart good to see you, although it's a mighty outlandish
country you've come to."

"It's home, however, Biddy, for I'm sure you must be Biddy Gillooly;
though so many years have passed since you carried me in your arms, I
remember you perfectly," answered Percy, returning her embrace.

"Blessings on ye, Masther Percy, for saying that," cried Biddy; "and who
is the other young gintleman?"

"A countryman of yours," answered Percy, introducing Denis. "He'll be
glad to have a talk with you about the old country, although he's not
seen much of it himself since he was a small boy."

Biddy was delighted to find that Denis was actually born in her native
village.

"Come, Biddy, the lads want supper as soon as possible, and the pots may
be boiling over during your absence," said Captain Broderick.

Biddy took the hint, and picking up her ladle, hastened back to her
kitchen. As soon as the excitement of their first arrival was over,
both Percy and Denis began to feel the fatigue of their long journey.
Percy could scarcely keep his eyes open while he sat at table. Mrs
Broderick advised that they should both go to bed, and they accordingly
retired. Denis managed to attend to himself; but Percy could scarcely
have got into his bed without the assistance of his mother and brother.

The next day Percy was unable to rise, and Denis did not turn out until
the evening, when he declared that he felt sufficiently rested to start
again, if it was necessary, although he had no wish to leave the farm.
Percy was affectionately tended by his mother and sisters, and he
assured them he hoped in another day or two to be all to rights. The
three Miss Brodericks were very nice girls--Denis thought them
especially so--but they were very far from being fine young ladies.
Assisted by Biddy, their only domestic, they attended to all the
household affairs, cooked and baked, milked the cows, mad