"I wouldn't say that," said James. "You see," said his father, "she did not go into the convent because she had a calling, but because she was crossed in love." And after another long while James said, "It is a bitter dose, I am thinking, father, but you must go and tell her that Peter has left Maynooth." "And what would the Reverend Mother be saying to me if I went to her with such a story as that? Isn't your heart broken enough already, James, without wanting me to be breaking it still more? Sure, James, you could never see her married to Peter?" "If she were to marry Peter I should be able to go to America, and that is the only thing for me." "That would be poor consolation for you, James." "Well, it is the best I shall get, to see Peter settled, and to know that there will be some one to look after you, father." "You are a good son, James." They talked on, and as they talked it became clearer to them that some one must go to-morrow to the convent and tell Catherine that Peter had left Maynooth. "But wouldn't it be a pity," said Pat Phelan, "to tell her this if Peter is not going to marry her in the end?" "I'll have him out of his bed," said James, "and he'll tell us before this fire if he will or won't." "It's a serious thing you are doing, James, to get a girl out of a convent, I am thinking." "It will be on my advice that you will be doing this, father; and now I'll go and get Peter out of his bed." And Peter was brought in, asking what they wanted of him at this hour of the night; and when they told him what they had been talking about and the plans they had been making, he said he would be catching his death of cold, and they threw some sods of turf on the fire. "It is against myself that I am asking a girl to leave the convent, even for you, Peter," said James. "But we can think of nothing else." "Peter will be able to tell us if it is a sin that we'd be doing." "It is only right that Catherine should know the truth before she made her vows," Peter said. "But this is very unexpected, father. I really--" "Peter, I'd take it as a great kindness. I shall never do a hand's turn in this country. I want to get to America. It will be the saving of me." "And now, Peter," said his father, "tell us for sure if you will have the girl?" "Faith I will, though I never thought of marriage, if it be to please James." Seeing how heart-sick his brother was, he said, "I can't say I like her as you like her; but if she likes me I will promise to do right by her. James, you're going away; we may never see you again. It is all very sad. And now you'll let me go back to bed." "Peter, I knew you would not say no to me; I can't bear this any longer." "And now," said Peter, "let me go back to bed. I am catching my death." And he ran back to his room, and left his brother and father talking by the fire. V