“He has promised to look after papa, and I shall be so grateful to him for his kindness—shown to my dear, heart-broken father. I will beg my mother again, when she has relented toward me, to let me visit my dear papa on the right days. What pleasure I shall have, looking forward to the times when I may see him, if mother will only consent!” “Pat, you back? I think it has taken you a long time to go to the train and back. Why the delay?” “Well, your honor, I am back and ready to do annything you want me to.” “You may see that Mr. Pearson is locked in cell 77.” “Mr. Pearson, will you kindly come along with me? I am not doing this as a pleasure, but as my sworn duty.” “Pat, I understand your position. I know I had to do many things I did not like to do, but I understand the prison rules, and I’ll obey orders.” “You will please step in here, Mr. Pearson. I am going to see that you have plenty to eat and drink. That I promised your daughter.” “You promised my daughter? When did you have the opportunity to talk to her? I have been in her presence each time and all of the time when she was here, and she has visited me only twice.” “Faith, and did you not hear the officer ask me why the delay? Well, as I was coming back from the train I met your daughter, and she was feeling bad, and I felt sorry for her and tried to comfort her the best I could, and I bade the time of day to her.” “Was that all of the conversation you had?” “No, sir; I asked the poor, heart-broken girl if I could do annything for her, and the only thing I could do to help her I couldn’t do, but I offered to try, but she shook her head and said, ‘No, indade.’ She don’t take after you for honesty.” “Pat, what was the help you offered her?” “You understand the same as meself that the rules here don’t allow visiting only on visiting days, and the girl said she couldn’t always get away on visiting days.” “What could you help her to do, Pat?” “I thought, perhaps, I could change the rule.” “Pat, you are a good fellow, and I do not know how to thank you for all of your kindness.” “Wait a minute. I don’t need anny thanking for bating you. I got me spite off you then.” “I wonder what is keeping Pat so long,” thought the superintendent. “Did I tell him to return? I do not believe I did. Well, I’ll throw the lock on and step around and see if I can see him near. I will just walk toward the new prisoner’s cell, and perhaps I may meet Pat. “Almost there, and I do not see him? I’ll just step up and look inside cell 77. “What do I hear? Pat’s voice inside? I must find out what this means.” “Pat, you have had a hard time all your life, working, haven’t you?” said the prisoner. “Me b’y,” returned Pat, “I never knew annything but work.” “Well, Pat, don’t you think that a man would be foolish to work if he could live without it?” “Indade I do.” “Pat, would you like to live without working if you had a chance?”