was his duty to insist on his rules, as far as his heart would allow
him to do so. It was a settled thing at their relief committee that
there should be no giving away of money to chance applicants for
alms. What money each had to bestow would go twice further by being
brought to the general fund--by being expended with forethought and
discrimination. This was the system which all attempted, which all
resolved to adopt who were then living in the south of Ireland. But
the system was impracticable, for it required frames of iron and
hearts of adamant. It was impossible not to waste money in
almsgiving.

"Oh, Herbert!" said Clara, imploringly, as the woman prepared to
start.

"Bridget, come here," said Herbert, and he spoke very seriously, for
the woman's allusion to Owen Fitzgerald had driven a cloud across
his brow. "Your child is very ill, and therefore I will give you
something to help you," and he gave her a shilling and two
sixpences.

"May the God in heaven bless you thin, and make you happy, whoever
wins the bright darling by your side; and may the good days come
back to yer house and all that belongs to it. May yer wife clave to
you all her days, and be a good mother to your childher." And she
would have gone on further with her blessing had not he interrupted
her.

"Go on now, my good woman," said he, "and take your children where
they may be warm. If you will be advised by me, you will go to the
Union at Kanturk." And so the woman passed on still blessing them.