Though he was very feeble, I took him to Scotland with me to visit my brothers and sisters; and there I left him. As the hour of farewell drew near he wanted to have me alone—all to himself.
"Ye couldn't stay at home awhile? Shure I'll be goin' in a month or two."
"Ah, that's impossible, father." He hung his head.
"D'ye believe I'll know her whin I go? God wudn't shut me out from her for th' things I've done—"
"Of course he won't."
"He wudn't be so d——d niggardly, wud He?"
"Never!"
He fondled my hands as if I were a child. The hour drew nigher. He had so many questions to ask, but the inevitableness of the situation struck him dumb. We were on the platform; the train was about to move out. I made a motion; he gripped me tightly, whispering in my ear:
"Ask God onct in a while to let me be with yer mother—will ye, boy?"
I kissed him farewell and saw him no more.