"There's nothing for us, then, but America, your reverence," they said.
"It would be a good thing for the country if some of you went, whatever," I said.
The following Sunday a deputation appeared in the village,—the good merchants from Kilkeel, who had subscribed the balance of two hundred pounds for the boat. They called just as Father Letheby was at breakfast, immediately after his last Mass. He received them courteously, but waited for what they had to say.
"That was an unfortunate thing about the boat, your reverence," said the spokesman.
"Very much so, indeed," said Father Letheby.
"A great misfortune, entirely," said another, looking steadily at the floor.
"We come to know, your reverence, what's going to be done," said the foreman.
"Well, the matter lies thus, gentlemen," said Father Letheby. "The Board of Trade is making careful investigations with a view to legal proceedings; and, I understand, are sanguine of success. They hope to make that steamer responsible for the entire amount."
"The law is slow and uncertain," said the foreman.