"Mother," he proceeds, "I think it would be a charity to rescue that
interesting little girl of Peety Dhu's from a life of mendicancy."

"From a what?" she asked, staring at him.

"Why," he replied, now really anxious to make himself understood--"from
the disgraceful line of life he's bringin' her up to. You should take
her in and provide for her."

"When I do, Hycy," replied his mother, bridling, "it won't be a beggar's
daughter nor a niece of Philip Hogan's--sorrow bit."

"As for her being a niece of Hogan's, you know it is by his mother's
side; but wouldn't it be a feather in her cap to get under the
protection of a highly respectable woman, though? The patronage of a
person like you, Mrs. Burke, would be the making of her--my word and
honor it would."

"Hem!--ahem!--do you think so, Hycy?"

"Tut, mother--that indeed!--can there be a doubt about it?"

"Well then, in that case, I think she may stay--that is, if the father
will consent to it."

"Thank you, mother, for that example of protection and benevolence. I
feel that all my virtues certainly proceed from your side of the house
and are derived from yourself--there can be no doubt of that."

"Indeed I think so myself, Hycy, for where else would you get them? You