more? Worn't that the lesson I've struv to larn ye this four year
back, Teddy Ginniss?"

"Yes, mother," said the boy in a low voice.

"An' haven't I towld ye, that, so as ye did it, my blessin' was wid
yees, an' so as ye turned yer back on it my cuss 'ud folly yees, an'
the cuss uv God an' all his saints and angels?"

"Yes, mother."

"An it's yersilf that's tuck heed uv me words, an' done yer best to
kape 'em; isn't it, me fine lad?" pursued the mother with bitter
irony.

"I did always, mother, till"-began Teddy humbly; but his mother
angrily interrupted him.

"Alluz till ye got the chance to do contrairy, an' plaze yersilf at
his expense. Sure, an' it wor mighty perlite uv yees to wait that
long, an' it's greatly obleeged to yees he shud be."

She waited a moment, standing before the boy, who, still seated
droopingly in the chair where he had first fallen, his heavy eyes
looking straight before him, offered neither reply nor remonstrance;
while his mother, setting her hands upon her hips, looked scornfully
at him a moment longer, and then exclaimed,--

"An' have ye niver a word to say for yersilf, ye white-livered
coward? Is there niver anudder lie on yer tongue like thim ye found