Pat was over sixty, but he did not give one the impression of an old man. The hair was not grey, there was still a little red in the whiskers. James, who sat opposite to him, holding his hands to the blaze, was not as good-looking a man as his father, the nose was not as fine, nor were the eyes as keen. There was more of the father in Peter than in James. When Peter opened the half-door, awaking the dozen hens that roosted on the beam, he glanced from one to the other, for he suspected that his father was telling James how he had failed to sell the bullocks. But the tone of his father's voice when he asked him what had detained him on the road told him he was mistaken; and then he remembered that Catherine had said she would not marry James, and he began to pity his brother. "I met Catherine on the road, and I could do no less than walk as far as her door with her." "You could do no less than that, Peter," said James. "And what do you mean by that, James?" "Only this, that it is always the crooked way, Peter; for if it had been you that had asked her she would have had you and jumping." "She would have had me!" "And now don't you think you had better run after her, Peter, and ask her if she'll have you?" "I'll never do that; and it is hurtful, James, that you should think such a thing of me, that I would go behind your back and try to get a girl from you." "I did not mean that, Peter; but if she won't have me, you had better try if you can get her." And suddenly Peter felt a resolve come into his heart, and his manner grew exultant. "I've seen Father Tom, and he said I can pass the examination. I'm going to be a priest." And when they were lying down side by side Peter said, "James, it will be all right." Knowing there was a great heart-sickness on his brother, he put out his hand. "As sure as I lie here she will be lying next you before this day twelvemonths. Yes, James, in this very bed, lying here where I am lying now." "I don't believe it, Peter." Peter loved his brother, and to bring the marriage about he took some money from his father and went to live at Father Tom's, and he worked so hard during the next two months that he passed the Bishop's examination. And it was late one night when he went to bid them good-bye at home. "What makes you so late, Peter?" "Well, James, I didn't want to meet Catherine on the road." "You are a good boy, Peter," said the father, "and God will reward you for the love you bear your brother. I don't think there are two better men in the world. God has been good to me to give me two such sons." And then the three sat round the fire, and Pat Phelan began to talk family history. "Well, Peter, you see, there has always been a priest in the family, and it would be a pity if there's not one in this generation. In '48 your grand-uncles joined the rebels, and they had to leave the country. You have an uncle a priest, and you are just like your uncle William."