ich foreknowledge doesn't come for nothing, Honor. I've had it
an' felt it hangin' over me this many a long day, that I'd come to
starvation yit; an' I see, that if you force me to do as you wish, that
it 'ill happen. I'm as sure of it as that I stand before you. I'm an
unfortunate man wid sich a fate before me; an' yet I'd shed my blood for
my boy--I would, an' he ought to know that I would; but he wouldn't ax
me to starve for him--would you, Connor, avick machree, would you ax
your father to starve? I'm unhappy--unhappy--an' my heart's breakin'!"

The old man's voice failed him as he uttered the last words; for the
conflict which he felt evidently convulsed his whole frame. He wiped his
eyes, and, again sitting down, he wept bitterly and in silence, for many
minutes.

A look of surprise, compassion, and deep distress passed between Connor
and his mother. The latter also was very much affected, and said,

"Fardorougha, dear, maybe I spake sometimes too cross to you; but if I
do, God above knows it's not that I bear you ill will, but bekase I'm
troubled about poor Connor. But I hope I won't spake angry to you again;
at all events, if I do, renumber it's only the mother pladin' for her
son--the only son an' child that God was plazed to sind her."

"Father," added Connor, also deeply moved, "don't distress yourself
about me--don't, father dear. Let things take their chance; but come or
go what will, any good fortune that might happen me wouldn't be sweet if
it came by givin' you a sore heart."

At this moment the barking of the dog gave notice of approaching
footsteps; and in a few moments the careless whistle of Bartle Flanagan
was heard within a few yards of the door.

"This is Bartle," said Connor; "maybe, father, his answer may throw some
light upon the business. At any rate, there's no secret in it; we'll all
hear what news he brings us."

He had scarcely concluded when the latch was lifted, but Bartle could
not enter.

"It's locked and bolted," said Fardorougha; "as he sleeps in the barn I
forgot that he was to come in here any more to-night--open it, Connor."

"For the sake of all the money you keep in the house, father," said
Connor, smiling, "it's hardly worth your while to be so timorous; but
God help the county treasurer if he forgot to bar his door--Asy, Bartle,
I'm openin' it."

Flanagan immediately entered, and, with all the importance of a
confidant, took his seat at the fire.

"Well, Bartle,"