human
Well, Mrs. Meehan, I have seen the schoolmaster.
gpt
Where, then, ma'am dear?
human
In his own house.
gpt
In the cabin up beyant there? she cried in amazement.
human
Tell me was it up there?
gpt
Yes, in the cabin amongst the hills, on the day of the storm,
human
The Lord be good to us, ma'am! And what took you to that fearsome place--in such weather, too? Couldn't you have got shelter anywhere else?
gpt
I went purposely, Mrs. Meehan; for I had made up my mind to ask him for Winifred.
human
To ask him for Winifred! she echoed in astonishment. Then her manner showed something of offence.
gpt
It was in my charge the colleen was left, she declared;
human
But I was sure of your consent already,
gpt
And what made you sure of it, axin' your pardon for the question?
human
Your intelligence, your love for the girl, and your fear of Niall's influence over her.
gpt
Your intelligence will show you it is for the best, your love for Winifred will make you wish the best for her, while your fear of Niall--
human
Speak lower, ma'am: he may be in hearin'! she said anxiously.
gpt
He's that strange he does be appearin' when least you expect.
human
Well, in any case, I knew you would not oppose her going with me to America.
gpt
To America, is it? cried the woman, bristling up as fiercely almost as Niall himself.
human
Oh, then, how am I to know that you're playin' me no tricks--that you haven't been sent to take her away from us?
gpt
Mrs. Meehan, I said gravely,
human
I gave you my word as a lady that I knew nothing of her till I came here.
gpt
I ax your pardon! she said humbly.
human
But, O ma'am dear, think of America, over the big ocean, and me sittin' here alone among the hills, powerless to go to her if she needs me!
gpt
She will be taken good care of, I said.
human
I shall put her in a convent, where she will be thoroughly educated and prepared for the part she has to play in life.
gpt
And will she be goin' away from the old land forever?
human
By no means. It is my hope and wish that she come back here.
gpt
But him you call the schoolmaster will never allow it!
human
The schoolmaster has already given his consent,
gpt
Given his consent! repeated the old woman, flushing and paling; and then a great wonder seemed to overcome every other feeling.
human
You saw him in the cabin 'mongst the hills and you got his consent! But weren't you afeared, ma'am, to go there by yourself?
gpt
I was somewhat afraid at first, I admitted;
human
And you'll take her away from me? the old woman cried piteously.
gpt
How can you, ma'am?
human
Don't you see yourself how much the best thing it is for her? I urged.
gpt
You are afraid of Niall's influence over her; she can not grow up as she is, roaming the hills, with no companions of her own age or rank.
human
You are right, ma'am dear, she said tranquilly;
gpt
We shall sail from here in August, I think, I answered.
human
And then I can place her in a convent near New York for the opening term of the school year. If she stays there even two or three years, it will make a great difference. And then she will come back to take her place at the castle, if it can be made habitable; or, at all events, in the neighborhood.
gpt
But Miss Winifred's father is in the United States of America?
human
Yes: he is in New York. I know him and have spoken to him.
gpt
You know my boy, the pulse of my heart--Roderick?
human
Yes, I answered.
gpt
I know him, I may say, well.
human
Then know too that if Roderick sets his eyes on Miss Winifred, we'll never see her more here in the old land.
gpt
Himself will take her, she went on;
human
He has no new wife! I said--
gpt
Say that again, asthore machree! cried the old woman,--
human
Niall has made it a condition of his consent to Winifred's going, I observed,
gpt
The old rap! cried Granny, with sudden ire.
human
He is altogether devoted to her, I said;
gpt
True for you, ma'am--true for you, said Granny.
human
And my old heart's so full with all you've told me that it seems as if the world was turned the wrong way round. Oh, what a desolate spot this will be when Miss Winifred's gone out of it!
gpt
Only for a time; and then, if all goes as we hope, think what happiness is in store for every one!
human
I'll try to think of it, ma'am,--indeed and I will, said Granny.
gpt
And, sittin' here in the dark alone, I'll be prayin', mornin', noon and night, that all may turn for the best.
human
Your prayers will help more than anything else can, I declared;
gpt
Yes: Father Owen Farley.
human
Very well. I shall see him and tell him all about the matter. He may be a help to us, too.