She was barely able to move about, but not to work or do anything in the house.

When they came out to take away their property, she had two cows, but only one of them gave any milk.

They wor axed to take the dry cow and any other part of the property they might think proper, but, 'for God's sake!' said the boy, 'as my poor mother is only risin' out of her illness, lave us the cow that can give her the drop of milk; the black water will kill her if you don't.' But no, this they wouldn't do; but what did they do?
Why, they left the dry cow behind them, and tuck away the one that gave the kindly drop o' milk to the sick widow and her poor family; they then brought off--ay--swept away--six times the amount of what she owed; which they bought in for a song.

It's well known that of late Purcel and his sons swore that they'd execute every process in the sevairest and most expensive manner upon the people, and as they kept their oath I hope too we'll keep ours.
Well, it was when the poor boy saw the drop o' milk, as he said, goin' from his poor mother, that he opposed them.

You all know the rest; he was shot stone-dead bekaise he loved that mother.