350 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



ones, and me wish is to sleep with them ; but 

 I doubt it can be." 



"Indeed it can be, and it shall be, too," said 

 Polly. " We will all go with you, Sir Tom, 

 when June comes, and you shall sleep in your 

 own ground with your own kin." 



" I don't deserve it, Mrs. Williams, indeed I 

 don't, but I would lie easier there. That sod 

 has known us for a thousand years, and it's the 

 greenest, softest, kindest sod in all the world ; 

 but little I'll mind when the breath is gone. I'll 

 not be asking that much of you." 



" My dear old chap, we won't lose sight of you 

 until that green sod covers the stanchest heart 

 that ever beat. Polly is right. We'll go with 

 you to Sligo, all of us, Polly and Jane and 

 Jack and I, and Kate and the babies, too, if we 

 can get them. You shall not be lonesome." 



" Lonesome, is it ? I'll be in the best of com- 

 pany. Me heart is at rest from this moment, 

 and I'll wait patiently until I can show you 

 Sligo. This is a fine country, Mrs. Williams, 

 and it has given me the truest friends in all the 

 world, but the ground is sweet in Sligo." 



His breath came fainter and faster, and we 

 could see that it would soon cease. After rest- 

 ing a few minutes, Sir Tom said : 



" Me lady Laura, do you mind that prayer 

 song, the second verse ? " 



Laura's voice was sobbing and uncertain as it 

 quavered : 



