"Oh, Dominic," said the Rector, "I feel as if I couldn't do it."
"Father dear, you must—you know you must."
"Well, then, leave us alone, lad. I can do it best when Maureen and I are alone."
Maureen looked in astonishment at the man and the boy, then she drew a chair close to her Uncle's side.
"Must I—must I talk of the dreadful past?" she asked.
"No, my sweet, my own. It is of the future I have to converse with you."
"Something is troubling you, Uncle Pat."
"A good bit, mavourneen."
"Well," said Maureen, "had we not better have it out? It will be off your mind then, and rest assured of one thing, that nothing can make Maureen unhappy now."
"You blessed darling. But I fear still, Maureen, I am a selfish old man, and I—I don't want to part with you."