"On the Sabbath the men, and women too, were mostly out of doors, lounging in the dirty court. Now, as Billy entered it, the boys and girls stared at him in some surprise, thinking, of course, that he was a stranger.
"'Hollo!' at last shouted one fellow, 'it's our Bill! Look at him. What a prig! Oh! Oh!' And he laughed boisterously.
"Billy smiled quietly to himself, and, making his way through the door, started to run upstairs, when a woman called out,—
"'Who are ye after, if I may be so bold?'
"'It's Billy Foster, no mistake,' said another, 'but I can't tell what he's been doing to himself.'
"Billy's mother started to her feet when he entered. She stared at him with open mouth, not daring to speak until he said, laughing,—
"'Don't you know me, mother?'
"'And what has happened ye, Bill? Sure it's like a miracle ye are.'
"The boy eagerly related what had occurred, adding that he had promised to put aside his new jacket for Sunday wear.
"'Wait till I see will yer father know his own son,' she said; eagerly; 'sure I can't believe my own eyes.'