“Why do you wish to be released from a promise so freely and deliberately given, Judith?” gravely inquired Miss Conyers.
“Well, you see, ma’am,” answered Judith, blushing and looking down and twirling her bonnet strings, “whin I made that same promise nivir to marry a man till the laws was changed, sure I was on that baste iv an island, where there was nivir a man to marry at all at all—let alone belaiving me gay Tom was dhrowned. So you see it made no differ. But now I’m back in a Christian counthry, and me gay Tom alive and well, and now sure I want to be relaised from me promise.”
“Well, Judith, I release you from your promise; but I do it only because I feel sure that if I did not you would break it.”
“Sure, ma’am, I thank you kindly, so I do; and so will me gay Tom,” said Judith, much relieved, as she turned and walked to rejoin her lover, who stood waiting for her in evident anxiety.
“I never could understand why Judith should call that grave and stolid Scotchman her ‘gay’ Tom,” said Justin.
“She did it first in covert sarcasm, no doubt. And she has since continued it from habit,” answered Britomarte.
Lieutenant Ethel now joined them, saying that the boat was ready to take them ashore.
They immediately arose and went to the starboard side of the ship and descended to the boat, followed by the lieutenant.
When they had all taken their places the boat was pushed off. A few rapid strokes of the oar brought them to the pier, where they got off, hailing with deep and heartfelt gratitude their native land.