"that it was an American letter; and as soon as I seen that, the sight of my eyes went from me and I seen no more. It was Norah Kate read the letter."
"I did," said Norah Kate.
"Norah Kate's a good scholar," said Mrs. Cassidy; "and well she may be, for we've kept her regular to school; but sure it's small credit to her to be able to read Sonny's letter, for he's a beautiful writer. Would you like now, your reverence, that she'd read it for you?"
Mrs. Cassidy fumbled in the bosom of her dress and drew out a letter, already crumpled with much handling already, I think, stained with tears of joy. I spared Norah Kate the task of reading it again. Sonny's handwriting is really very legible.
"'Dearest Father and Mother,' he wrote: 'This comes hoping to find you as well as it leaves me presently. Within is an order for twenty dollars. It's what I'd like to have sent before, only I hadn't it till now—nor I wouldn't write so long as I'd nothing to send; but I've fine earning now and I've made good, which is what they say out here. I'd like you to get something for the Christmas, and a cake or the like of that for Norah Kate and Susy. And you needn't be afraid of spending it—for there's plenty more where this comes from.'"
