"Yes, Father: she has a fine nature and a beautiful faith."
Meanwhile Winifred dried her tears, and was trying to soothe her humble friends, who had accompanied us with lamentations all the way.
"I'll come back again," Winifred said to them; "I won't be very long away, and I'll bring each of you something from America."
Her voice quivered as she made these promises, which caused Moira's face to brighten a little through her tears, and Barney to stammer out, brokenly:
"Och, then, Miss Winifred alanna, if you bring us back yourself, it's all we'll be wantin'!"
His red eyes and tear-stained cheeks gave force and sincerity to his words.
"Be a man now, Barney," said Father Owen, "and just tell Miss Winifred you wish her joy in the fine voyage she's going to take. Come, Moira my girl, dry your eyes and say good-by. Look how the sun is shining, and think how the goodness of God is over those that go and those that stay, just like yonder blue sky. Hear the thrush and the blackbird in the hedges giving glory to God whatever comes."
By this time we were seated in the car. I exchanged a few farewell words with my landlord, who showed real emotion at our departure.
"God be with you, ma'am!" he cried. "It's yourself has brightened us all up for weeks past. And God be with you too, Miss Winifred dear! Sure we'll be missin' your very pranks. Do you mind the day that you led me astray in the hills above, makin' b'lieve you were a Will-o'-the-wisp?"
And the landlord forced a laugh, which was not very genuine. I think he would have continued his reminiscences longer had not Father Owen judged it best to put an end to the parting scene.