Only an Irish Boy | Page 8

struck back."
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Burke, her eyes flashing with spirit, meek as
she generally was.
"Because it was improper," said Mrs. Preston, decisively.

"I don't see that, ma'am. Andy isn't the boy to stand still and be struck."
"Do I understand," said Mrs. Preston, in a freezing tone, "that you
uphold your son in his atrocious conduct?"
"Yes, ma'am. I stand up for Andy, for he's a good boy, and if he struck
Master Godfrey it was because he was struck first."
"That is enough," said Mrs. Preston, angrily. "I shall not require your
services after to-day, Mrs. Burke."
"Just as you like, ma'am," said Mrs. Burke, with quiet pride, but she
thought, with a sinking heart, of the gap which this would make in her
scanty income.
CHAPTER V
A PROFITABLE JOB
After finishing her work at Colonel Preston's Mrs. Burke went home.
She did not see Mrs. Preston again, for the latter sent her the money for
her services by Ellen.
"Mrs. Preston says you're not to come next week," said Ellen.
"She told me so herself this morning. She is angry because I took the
part of my boy against Master Godfrey."
"Godfrey's the hatefulest boy I ever see," said Ellen, whose grammar
was a little defective. "He's always putting on airs."
"He struck my Andy, and Andy struck him back."
"I'm glad he did," said Ellen, emphatically. "I hope he'll do it again."
"I don't want the boys to fight. Andy's a peaceable lad; and he'll be
quiet if he's let alone. But he's just like his poor father, and he won't let
anybody trample on him."

"That's where he's right," said Ellen. "I'm sorry you're not coming again,
Mrs. Burke."
"So am I, Ellen, for I need the money, but I'll stand by my boy."
"You iron real beautiful. I've heard Mrs. Preston say so often. She won't
get nobody that'll suit her so well."
"If you hear of anybody else that wants help, Ellen, will you send them
to me?"
This Ellen faithfully promised, and Mrs. Burke went home, sorry to
have lost her engagement, but not sorry to have stood up for Andy, of
whom she was proud.
Andy was at home when she returned. He had found enough to do at
home to occupy him so far. The next day he meant to go out in search
of employment. When his mother got back she found him cutting some
brush which he had obtained from the neighboring woods.
"There, mother," he said, pointing to a considerable pile, "you'll have
enough sticks to last you a good while."
"Thank you, Andy, dear. That'll save Mary and me a good deal of
trouble."
There was nothing in her words, but something in her tone, which led
Andy to ask:
"What's the matter, mother? Has anything happened?"
"I've got through working for Mrs. Preston, Andy."
"Got through? For to-day, you mean?"
"No; I'm not going to work there again."
"Why not?"

"She complained of you, Andy."
"What did she say, mother?" asked our hero, listening with attention.
"She said you ought not to have struck Godfrey."
"Did you tell her he struck me first?"
"Yes, I did."
"And what did she say, thin?"
"She said that you ought not to have struck him back."
"And what did you say, mother?"
"I said my Andy wasn't the boy to stand still and let anybody beat him."
"Good for you, mother! Bully for you! That's where you hit the nail on
the head. And what did the ould lady say then?"
"She told me I needn't come there again to work."
"I'm glad you're not goin', mother. I don't want you to work for the likes
of her. Let her do her own ironin', the ould spalpeen!"
In general, Andy's speech was tolerably clear of the brogue, but
whenever he became a little excited, as at present, it was more marked.
He was more angry at the slight to his mother than he would have been
at anything, however contemptuous, said to himself. He had that
chivalrous feeling of respect for his mother which every boy of his age
ought to have, more especially if that mother is a widow.
"But, Andy, I'm very sorry for the money I'll lose."
"How much is it, mother?"
"Seventy-five cents."

"I'll make it up, mother."
"I know you will if you can, Andy; but work is hard to get, and the pay
is small."
"You might go back and tell Mrs. Preston that I'm a dirty spalpeen, and
maybe she'd take you back, mother."
"I wouldn't slander my own boy like that if she'd take me back twenty
times."
"That's the way to talk, mother," said Andy, well pleased. "Don't you
be afeared--we'll get along somehow. More by token, here's three
dollars