WAYSIDERS Stories of Connacht by SEUMAS O'KELLY

8/2/2019 WAYSIDERS Stories of Connacht by SEUMAS O'KELLY

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WAYSIDERSStoriesofConnacht

by

SEUMASO'KELLY

Authorof"TheShuiler'sChild,""TheLadyofDeerpark,""TheBribe,"&c.

NewYork

MCMXVIII

Contents

TheCanwiththeDiamondNotch

BothSidesofthePond

TheWhiteGoat

TheSickCallTheShoemaker

TheRector

TheHome-Coming

AWaysideBurial

TheGrayLake

TheBuilding

THECANWITHTHEDIAMONDNOTCH

I

Thenamestoodoutinchastewhitelettersfromtheblackbackgroundofthesignboard.Indeedthenamemightbesaidtospringfromthelandscape,forthisshopjumpedfromitsruralsettingwithanairof

aggression.Itwasacommercialoasisonadesertofgrass.Itproclaimedtheclashoftwocivilisations.Therewerethehills,pitchedrounditlikethegalleriesofsomevastamphitheatre,risingtierupontiertotheblueofthesky.Therewastheyellowroad,fantasticinitsfrolicdowntothevalley.Andatoneofitswaywardcurveswastheshop,theshopofFestusClasby,aforeigngrowthuponthelandscape,itsonelongwindowcrowdedwithsombremerchandise,itsairthatofestablished,cob-webrespectability.

InsidetheshopwasFestusClasbyhimself,likesomegreatmasterpiece


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initsancientframe.Hewastheproductofthetwocivilisations,acharioteerwhodrovethetwofierysteedsofAgricoloandTradewithahandofauthority.Hewasamanoflandsandofshops.Hisdarkface,framedindarkerhairandbeard,wasmassiveandsquare.Behindtheluxuriousgrowthofhairtherichbloodglowedontheclearskin.Hischesthadbreadth,hislimbsweregreat,showinggirthatthehipsandpoweratthecalves.Hiseyeswerelargeanddark,smoulderinginsoftvelvetytones.Thenosewaslong,thenostrilsexpressiveofacertainanimalism,themouthlookedeloquent.Hisvoicewaslow,ofanagreeableevenquality,floatingovertheboxesandbarrelsofhisshoplikeachant.Hiswordsneverjarred,hisviewswerevaguelycomforting,basedonacceptedconventions,expressedinround,soft,lullingplatitudes.Hismannerwasserious,hismovementsdeliberate,thegreatbulkoftheshouldersloomingupinunconsciousbutdramaticposesinthecuriouslyunevenlightingoftheshop.Hishandsgavetheimpressionofslownessandamoderateskill;theycouldmakeupaparcelonthecounterwithoutleavinguglylaps;theycouldperformaminorsurgicaloperationonabeastinthefieldswithoutdegeneratingtobutchery;andtheywouldalwaysbedoingsomething,evenifitwereonlyrollingupaballoftwine.Hisclothesexudedafaintsuggestionofcinnamon,nutmegandcarawayseeds.

FestusClasbywouldhavelookedthepartinanynotoriouspositioninlife;hisshoulderswouldhavecarriedwithdignitythegoldenchainof

officeofthemayoraltyofaconsiderablecity;hewouldhavelookedaperfectchairmanofajuryataCoroner'sinquest;astheHeadofapiousGuildinachurchhemightalmostbeconfusedwiththefiguresofthestainedglasswindows;marchingattheheadofabrassbandhewouldsymbolisetheconqueringhero;asanundertakerhewouldhavereconciledonetodeath.Therewasnotechnicaltrustwhichmenwouldnothavereposedinhim,soperfectlywashewroughtasahumancasket.Asitwas,FestusClasbyfilledthemostfatalofalloccupationstodignitywithoutlosinghistremendousillusionofrespectability.Thehandswhichcutthebaconandthetobacco,turnedthetapsoverpintmeasures,scoopedbranandflourintoscales,tookherringsoutoftheirbarrels,rolledupsugarsticksinshredsofpaperforchildren,werehandswhosemovementstheeyesofnosaucycustomerdaredfollowwithagleamof

suspicion.Notonceinalifetimewasthatcaskettarnished;thenearestheeverwenttoitwaswhenheboughtup--verycheaply,aswashiscustom--abrokenman'sinsurancepolicyadayafterthelawmadesuchapracticeillegal.TherewasnohagglingatFestusClasby'scounter.Therewasonlyconversation,agreeableconversationaboutthingswhichFestusClasbydidnotsell,suchastheweather,thediseasesofanimals,theresultsofraces,andthescandalsoftheRoyalFamiliesofEurope.Theseconversationswerenothurriedoryetprotracted.TheycametoahappyendingatmuchthesamemomentasFestusClasbymadetheknotonthetwineofyourparcel.Buttostandinthedevotionallightsinfrontofhiscounter,wedgedinbetweendivisionsandsubdivisionsofhisboxesandbarrels,andtoscentthegoodscentswhichexhaledfromhisshelves,andtogetservedbyFestusClasbyinperson,wastofeel

thatyouhadbeenindeedserved.

Thesmallfarmersandherdsandthehardylittledarkmountainymenhadthisreverentialfeelingaboutthegoodmanandhisshop.Theyapproachedtheestablishmentasholypilgrimsmightapproachashrine.Theystoodathiscounterwiththeairofdevotees.FestusClasbywaitedonthemwithpatienceandbenignity.Hemightbesomewarm-bloodedgodhandinggiftsoutoverthecounter.Whenhebroughtforthhisgreataccountbookandentereduptheirpurchaseswithacarpenter'spencil--havingfirstmoistenedthetipofitwithhis


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flexiblelips--theyhadstrongly,deepdownintheirsouls,theconvictionthattheywerethenandforalltimedebtorstoFestusClasby.Which,indeedandintruth,theywere.Fromyear'sendtoyear'sendtheiraccountsremainedinthatbook;inthecourseoftheirlivesvariousfiguresroseandfadedaftertheirnames,recordingtheupsanddownsoftheirfinancialhistories.ItwasonlywhenFestusClasbyhadsuppliedthematerialsfortheirwakesthatthegreatpencil,withonemightystrokeofterriblefinality,ranlikeaswordthroughtheirnames,wipingtheirverymemoriesfromthehillsides.AllpurchaseswereenteredupinFestusClasby'smightyrecordwithoutvulgardiscussionsastoprice.Thebusinessoftheestablishmentwasconductedonthebasisofabeliefinthemanwhosoldandacquiescenceinthatbeliefonthepartofthemanwhopurchased.ThecustomersofFestusClasbywouldassoonhavethoughtofquestioninghispricesastheywouldofquestioningtherightoftheearthtorevolveroundthesun.FestusClasbywastheplanetaroundwhichthisconstellationofsmallfarmers,herds,andhardylittledarkmountainymenrevolved;fromhisshoptheydrewthelightandheatandfoodwhichkeptthemgoing.Theirveryemotionswereregisteredathiscounter.Tothemanwithareligiousturnhewasable,ataprice,tohanddownfromhisshelvestheKeyofHeaven;theothersideoftheboxhecomfortedthemanwhocamepantingtohistapstodrownthememoryofsomechronicimpertinence.Hegaveaverylongcredit,andaverylongcredit,inhisphilosophy,justifiedavery,verylongprofit.Astosecurity,ifFestusClasby'scustomershad

notagreatdealofmoneytheyhadgrasswhichgreweveryyear,andthebeastswhichFestusClasbyfattenedandsoldatthefairshadsometimestoeathisdebtorsoutofhisbook.Ifhisbullockswerenotabletodoeventhis,thenFestusClasbytalkedtothesmallfarmeraboutamortgageontheland,sothatnowandagainsmallfarmersbecameherdsforFestusClasby.Inthiswaywasheabletomaintainhispositionwithhisbacktothehillsandhistoesinthevalley,stridinghisterritorylikeaColossus.Whenyousawhisnameonthesignboardstandingstarkfromthelandscape,andwhenyousawFestusClasbybehindhiscounter,youknewinstinctivelythatbothhadalwaysstoodforatleasttwentyshillingsinthepound.

II

Now,itcametopassthatonacertaindayFestusClasbywaspassingthroughtheoutskirtsofthenearestcountrytownonhishomewardjourney,hiscartladenwithprovisions.AtthesamemomentthesparefigureofatinkerwhosenamewasMac-an-Ward,theSonoftheBard,veeredaroundthecornerofastreetwithanewtincanunderhisarm.ItwastheCanwiththeDiamondNotch.

Mac-an-WardapproachedFestusClasby,whopulleduphiscart.

"Well,mygoodman?"queriedFestusClasby,aphraseusuallyaddressedacrosshiscounter,hishandsoutspread,tolongstandingcustomers.

"Thelastofararelot,"saidMac-an-Ward,deftlypoisingthetincanonthetopofhisfingers,sothatitstoodlevelwithFestusClasby'sgreatface.FestusClasbytookthisasabusinessproposition,andthesoulofthetraderrevolvedwithinhim.Whynotbuythetincanfromthistinkerandsellitataprofitacrosshiscounter,evenashewouldselltheflitchesofbaconthatwerewrappedinsackinguponhiscart?Hewasinmellowmood,andlaiddownthereinsinthecartbesidehim.


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"Andsosheisthelast?"hesaid,eyeingthetincan.

"SheistheCanwiththeDiamondNotch."

"Oddsandendsgocheap,"saidFestusClasby.

"Sheisthelast,butthefloweroftheflock."

"Remnantsmustgoasbargainsorelseremainasremnants."

"Mywallet!"protestedMac-an-Ward,"youwoundme.Don'tspeakasifIpickeditoffascrapheap."

"Iwillnot,butIwillsaythat,beingatailendandanoddone,itmustgoatasacrifice."

TheSonoftheBardtappedthesideofthecangentlywithhisknuckles.

"Listentohim,thehardmanfromthecountry!Hehasnoregardformyfeelings.Ihadthesolderingironinmyhandinfaceofitbeforethelarksstirredthismorning.IhadmybacktotheEast,butthroughthebottomofthatcanthereIsawthesunriseinitsglory.Thebrightnessofitisastheharvestmoon."

"Idon'twantitforitsbrightness."

"Dearheart,listentothemanwhowouldnothavebrightness.Hewouldpluckthelightfromthemoon,quenchtheheatintheheartofthesun.Hewoulddrawascreenacrosstheauroraborealisandpaintouttherainbowwithlampblack.Hemightdosuchthings,buthecannotdenythebrightnessofthiscan.Lookuponit!Whentheworldiscomingtoanenditwillshineupattheskyanditwillsay:'Ah,whereareallthegreatstarsnowthatmadeaboastoftheirbrightness?'Andtherewillbenostarlefttoanswer.Theywillallbedeadthingsintheheaven,buriedintheforgottengravesoftheskies."

"Don'tmindtheskies.Letmeseeiftheremaynotbealeakageinit."FestusClasbyheldupthecanbetweenhishandsomefaceandthebrightsky.

"Leakages!"exclaimedMac-an-Ward."AleakageinacanthatIsolderedasifwithmyownheart'sblood.HolyKilcock,whatamindhasthismanfromthecountry!Heseesnovalueinitsbrightness;nowhewilltellmethatthereisnovirtueinitsmusic."

"Ilikemusic,"saidFestusClasby."Nofiddlerhaseverstoodatmydoorbuthadthegoodwordtosayofme.Notoneofthemcouldeversaythathewentthirstyfrommycounter."

SaidtheSonoftheBard:"Fiddlers,whatarefiddlers?Whatsoundhavetheylikethemusicofthesweetmilkgoingintothatcanfromtheyellowteatsoftheredcow?Morningandeveningtherewillbeahymnplayeduponitinthehaggard.WasnotthefinestsongevermadecalledCailindeascridhtenambo?Music!Doyouthinkthatthewaterintheholywellwillnotimproveinitssparkletohavesuchacanasthisdippedintoit?Itwillbewelcomeeverywhereforitsclearnessanditscleanness.HeavenlyFather,lookatthemannerinwhichIroundedtheedgeofthatcanwiththeclippers!Cutcleanandclever,solderedatthedawnofday,thedewfallinguponthehandsthatmouldedit,the


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paringsscatteredaboutmyfeetlikejewels.Andnowyouwouldbargainoverit.Iwillnotsellittoyouatall.Iwillputitinaholyshrine."

FestusClasbyturnedthecanoverinhishands,alittlebewildered."Itlooksanordinarycanenough,"hesaid.

"ItistheCanwiththeDiamondNotch,"declaredMac-an-Ward.

"Woulditbeworthashillingnow?"

"Heputsapriceuponit!Itisblasphemy.Themanhasnoreligion;hewilllosehissoul.Thedevilswillhavehimbytheheels.Theywilltearhisredsoulthroughtheroof.Givemethecan;don'tholditinthosehandsanylonger.Theyarecoarse;thehairisstandingaboutthepurpleknuckleslikestubblesinanill-cutmeadow.ThatcanwasmadeforthehandsofadelicatewomanorfortheangelsthatcarrywatertotheCourtofHeaven.IsawitinavisionthenightbeforeImadeit;itwasontheheadofamaidenwithgoldenhair.Herfeetwerebareandlikeshells.Shewalkedacrossafieldwheredaisiesroseoutofyounggrass;shehadthecanrestingonherheadlikeonecomingfromthemilking.SoIroseupthenandsaid,'Now,Iwillmakeacanfitforthismaiden'shead.'AndImadeitoutoftherisingsunandthefallingdew.Andnowyouaskmeifitisworthashilling."

"Forallyourtalk,itisonlymadeoftin,andnotsuchgoodtin."

"Notgoodtin!Ihelditinmyhandinthepiecebeforeevertheclipperswaslaiduponit.Ibentitanditcurved,suppleasayoungsnake.Ishookit,andtheripplesrandownthelengthofitlikesilverwavesinalittlelake.Thestrengthoftheageswasinitsvoice.Ithasgathereditspowerinthewomboftheearth.ItwassmeltedfromthepreciousmetaltakenfromtheminesofthePeninsulaofMalacca,anditwillhaveitsgleamwhenthesparkleofthediamondisspent."

"I'llgiveyouashillingforit,andholdyourtongue."

"No!Iwillnothaveitonmyconscience.Godismyjudge,Iwillbreakitupfirst.Iwillcutitintopieces.Fromoneofthemwillyetbemadeabreastplate,andintimetocomeitwillbenailedtoyourowncoffin,withyournameandyourageandthedateofyourdeathpainteduponit.Andwhenthepaintisfadeduponititwillshineoverthedustoftheboneofyourbreast.Itwillbedugupandpreservedwhenallgraveyardsareabolished.Theywillsay,'Wewillkeepthisbreastplate,forwhoknowsbutthatitborethenameofthemanwhorefusedtobuytheCanwiththeDiamondNotch.'"

"Howmuchwillyoutakeforit?"

"Nowyouarerespectful.Letmeputapriceuponit,foritwasIwho

fashioneditintothisshape.Itwillholdthreegallonsandahalffromnowuntilthetimethatswallowswearshoes.ButforallthatIwillpartwithit,becauseIampoorandhungryandhaveadelicatewife.Itbreaksmyhearttosayit,butpayintomyhandstwoshillingsanditisyours.PayquicklyorImayrepent.Itgallsmetopartwithit;inyourcharitypayquicklyandbegone."

"Iwillnot.Iwillgiveyouone-and-six."

"Assassin!Youstabme.Whatamindyouhave!Lookatthegreedofyour


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eyes;theywoulddevourthegrassofthefieldsfromthisplaceuptotheDevil'sBit.Youwouldlockuptheairandsellitingaspingbreaths.Youaredisgusting.Butgivemetheone-and-sixandtoConnachtwithyou!Iamdamningmysoulstandingbesideyouandyourcart,smellingitscontents.Howcanamantalkwiththesmelloffatbacongoingbetweenhimandthewind?One-and-sixandthedewthatfellatthemakinghardlydryuponmyhandsyet.Farewell,alongfarewell,myShiningOne;wemaynevermeetagain."

TheshawlofMac-an-Ward'swifehadbeenblowingaroundthenear-bycornerwhilethisdiscussionhadbeeninprogress.Itflappedagainstthewallinthewindlikealoosesailintherigging.Theheadofthewomanherselfcamegraduallyintoview,oneeyespyingaroundthemasonry,half-closingasitmeasuredthecomfortableproportionsofFestusClasbyseateduponhiscart.Astheone-and-sixwascountedoutpennybypennyintothepalmofthebrownhandoftheSonoftheBard,thefigureofhiswifefloatedoutontheopenroad,tossingandtackingandundecidedinitsdirectiontotheeyeofthosewhounderstoodnotthelanguageofgesturesandmotions.Byaseriesofgiddyevolutionsshearrivedatthecartasthelastofthecopperswascountedout.

"Ihavepartedwithmyinheritance,"saidMac-an-Ward."Ihavesoldmysoulandtheangelshavefoldedtheirwings,weeping."

"Inotherwords,Ihaveboughtatincan,"saidFestusClasby,andhisframeandtheentirecartshookwithhischuckling.

Thetinker'swifechuckledwithhiminharmony.Thenshereachedoutherhandwithagesturethatclaimedasympatheticexaminationofthepurchase.FestusClasbyhesitated,lookingintotheeyesofthewoman.Wasshetobetrusted?Hereyeswereclear,grey,andopen,almostbabyishintheirroundedinnocence.FestusClasbyhandedherthetincan,andsheexamineditslowly.

"WhosoldyoutheCanwiththeDiamondNotch?"sheasked.

"Themanstandingbyyourside."

"Hehaswrongedyou.Thecanisnothis."

"Hesayshemadeit."

"Liar!Henevercurveditinthepiece."

"Idon'tmuchcarewhetherhedidornot.Itisminenow,anyhow."

"Itismybrother'scan.Nootherhandmadeit.Look!Doyouseethisnotchonthepieceofsheetironwherethehandleisfastenedtothesides?"

"Ido."

"Isitnotshapedlikeadiamond?"

"Itis."

"BythatmarkIidentifyit.Mybrothercutsthatdiamond-shapednotchinalltheworkheputsoutfromhishands.Itishisprivatemark.Theshopkeepershaveknowledgeofit.Thereisavalueonthecanswiththatnotchshapedlikeadiamond.Thismanheremakescanswhenheisnot


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drunk,butthenotchtothemissquare.Theshopkeepershaveknowledgeofthem,too,fortheydonotlast.Thehandlesfalloutofthem.Hehasnevergivenhistimetotheart,andsodoesnotknowhowtorivetthem."

"Shevilifiesme,"saidMac-an-Ward,sottovoce.

"ThenIamgladhehasnotsoldmeoneofhisown,"saidFestusClasby."Ihaveafancyforthelastingarticle."

"Youmaybeabletobuyityet,"saidthewoman."Mybrotherislyingsickofthefever,andIhavehisrighttoselltheCanswiththeDiamondNotchonthehandleswheretheyareriveted."

"ButIhaveboughtitalready."

"Thisman,"saidthedamsel,inatonewhichdiscountedthehusband,"hadnorighttosellit.Ifitisnothisproperty,butthepropertyofmybrother,won'tyousaythathenornoothermanhasarighttosellit?"

FestusClasbyfeltpuzzled.Hewasunaccustomedtodealingwithpeoplewhoraisedquestionsoftitle.Hisblackbrowsknit.

"Howcanamanwhodoesn'townathingsellathing?"shepersisted."Isitahabitofyourstosellthatwhichyoudonotown?"

"Itisnot,"FestusClasbysaid,feelingthatanassaulthadbeenwantonlymadeonhisintegrityasatrader."Noonecouldeversaythatofme.Honestvaluewasevermymotto."

"Andthemottoofmybrotherwhoissickwiththefever.Iwillgotohimandsay,'Imetthemostrespectable-lookingmaninallEurope,whoputavalueonyourcanbecauseofthediamondnotch.'Iwillpayintohishandstheone-and-sixwhichisitsprice."

FestusClasbyhad,whentakenoutofhisownpeculiarprovince,aheavy

mind,andthetypeofmindthatwillrangealongside-issuesandgetlostinthemiftheyareraisedoftenenoughandlongenough.Thediamondnotchonthehandle,thebrotherwhowassickofthefever,theallegednon-titleofMac-an-Ward,theinterpositionofthewoman,thecanswiththehandleswhichfallout,andthecanswiththehandleswhichdonotfallout,theequityofsellingthatwhichdoesnotbelongtoyou--allthesethingschasedeachotheracrossFestusClasby'smind.TheSonoftheBardstoodsilentbythecart,lookingawaydowntheroadwithapensivelookonhislong,narrowface.

"Paymetheone-and-sixtoputintothehandsofmybrother,"thewomansaid.

FestusClasby'smindwasbroughtbackatoncetohispocket."No,"hesaid,"butthismancangiveyoumymoneytopayintothehandofyourbrother."

"Thisman,"shesaidairily,"hasnointerestforme.Whatevertookplacebetweenthetwoofyouinregardtomybrother'scanIwillhavenothingtosayto."

"Thenifyouwon't,"saidFestusClasby,"Iwillhavenothingtodowithyou.Ifhehadnorighttothecanyoucanputthepoliceontohim;


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that'swhatpolicearefor."

"Anduponyou,"thewomanadded."Thepolicearealsoforthat."

"Uponme?"FestusClasbyexclaimed,hischestswelling."Mynamehasnevercrossedthemindofapoliceman,except,maybe,forwhathemightowemeattheendofthemonthforpigs'heads.Ineverstoodintheshadowofthelaw.AndtothismanstandingbyyoursideIhavenothingtosay."

"Youhave.Youboughtfromhimthatwhichdidnotbelongtohim.Youreceived,andthereceiverisasbadastherogue.Sothelawhasit.Theshadowofthelawisgreat."

FestusClasbycamedownfromhiscart,hisfacetroubled."Iamnotusedtothis,"hesaid.

"Youareahandsomeman,amanthoughtwellof.Youhavegreatprovisionsuponyourcart.Thismanhasnothingbuttheunwashedshirtwhichhangsonhisslackback.Itwillnotbecomeyoutomarchhandcuffedwithhislike,goingbetweentwopolicementothebridewell."

"Whatareyousayingofme,woman?"

"Itwillbenotokenofbusinesstoseeyourcartandtheprovisionsitcontainsdrivenintotheyardofthebarracks.Allthepeopleofthistownwillseeit,fortheyhavemanyeyes.Thepeopleoftradewillbecomingtotheirdoors,speakingofit.'Aman'spropertywasmolested,'theywillsay.'Whatproperty?'willbeasked.'TheCanwiththeDiamondNotch,'theywillanswer;'themanofsubstanceconspiredwiththethieftomakeawaywithit.'Thesearethewordsthatwillbespokeninthestreets."

FestusClasbysetgreatstoreonhisname,thenamehehadgotpaintedfortheeyeofthecountryoverhisdoor.

"Iwillbeknowntothepoliceasoneextensiveinmydealings,"he

said."Theywillnotcouplemewiththismanwhoisknownasonelivingoutsideofthelaw."

"ItisnotforthePeelerstoputthehonestmanononesideandthethiefontheother.Thatwillbeforthecourt.Youwillstandwithhimuponmycharge.ThePeelerswillsaytoyou,'Weknowyoutobeamanofgreatworth,andthelawwillupholdyou.'Butthelawisslow,andaman'sgoodnamegoesfast.'"

FestusClasbyfingeredhismoneyinhispocket,andthetouchofitmadehimstruggle."Thecanmaybethisman'sforallIknow.Youhavenobrother,andIbelieveyoutobeafraud."

"That,too,willbeforthelawtodecide.IfIhaveabrother,thelawwillproducehimwhenhisfeverisended.IfIhavenobrotherthelawwillsodeclareit.IfmybrothermakesaCanwiththeDiamondNotch,thelawwillhearofitsvalue.IfmybrotherdoesnotmakeaCanwiththeDiamondNotchyouwillknowmeasonedeficientintruth.Thereisnopointunderthestarsthatthelawcannotbegottodeclareupon.Butasisright,thelawisslow,andwillwaitforamantocomeoutofhisfever.Beforeitcandecide,anotherman'sgoodname,likealittlecloudridingacrossthesky,isgonefromthememoryofthepeopleandwillnotcomeridingbackuponthecrestofanywind."


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"Itwillbeagreatpricetobepayingforatincan,"saidFestusClasby.Hewasturningaroundwithhisfingersthecoinsinhispocket.

Thewomanputthecanonherarm,thencovereditupwithhershawl,likeahentakingachickundertheprotectionofherwing.

"Ihavegivenyoumanywords,"shesaid,"becauseyouareamansizeableandgoodtotheeyeofafoolishwoman.IfIhadnotasickbrotherImightbeinducedtoletsliphisrightintheCanwiththeDiamondNotchforthepleasureIhavefoundinthelookofyourface.WhenIsawyouonthecartIsaid,'Thereisthebuildofamanwhichistomyfancy.'WhenIheardyourvoiceIsaid,'Thatisgoodmusictotheearofawoman.'WhenIsawyoureyeIsaid,'Thereisdangertotheheartofawoman.'WhenIsawyourbeardIsaid,'Thereisagreatgrowthfromthestrengthofaman.'WhenyouspoketomeandgavemeyourlaughIsaid,'Ah,whataplacethatwouldbeforawomantobeseated,drivingtheroadsofthecountryonacartladenwithprovisionsbesideonesomuchtothefemaleliking.'Butmysickbrotherwaits,andnowIgotodothatwhichmaymakeawaywiththegoodnessofyourname.Imustseekthosewhowillthrowtheshadowofthelawovermany."

Shemovedaway,sighingaquicksigh,asonemightwhowassettingoutonadisagreeablemission.FestusClasbycalledtoherandshecame

back,hereyespainedastheysoughthisface.FestusClasbypaidthemoney,abrightshillingandtwothreepennybits,intoherhand,wonderingvaguely,butvirtuously,ashedidso,whathardylittledarkmountainymanhewouldlaterchargeupthecantoatthedoubleprice.

"Now,"saidthewifeofMac-an-Ward,puttingthemoneyaway,"youhavepaidmeformybrother'scanandyouwouldbewithinyourrightingettingbackyourone-and-sixfromthisbadman."ShehitchedhershawlcontemptuouslyinthedirectionofMac-an-Ward.

FestusClasbylookedattheSonoftheBardwithhisvelvetysofteyes."Come,sir,"saidhe,histonealittlenervous."Mymoney!"

Mac-an-Wardhitchedhistrousersatthehipslikeasailor,spatthroughhisteeth,endeyedFestusClasbythroughaslitinhishalf-closedeyes.TherewasalittlepatterofthefeetontheroadonthepartofMac-an-Ward,andFestusClasbyknewenoughoftheworldanditswaystogatherthatthesewerescientificmovementsinventedtothrowamaninastruggle.HedidnotlikethelookoftheSonoftheBard.

"IwillgohomeandleavehimtoGod,"hesaid."HandmethecanandIwillbeshorteningmyroad."

Atthismomentthreesmallboys,ragged,eager,theirfaceshardandweather-beaten,boundeduptothecart.Theywerebreathlessastheystoodaboutthewoman.

"Mother!"theycriedinchorus."Themaninthebigshop!Heislookingforacan."

"Whatcan?"criedthewoman.

Thethreeyoungvoicesroselikeagreatcry:"TheCanwiththeDiamondNotch."

Thewomancaughtherfaceinherhandsasifsometerriblethinghad


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beensaid.Shestaredattheyoungstersintently.

"Hewantsonemoretomakeupanorder,"theychanted."Hesayshewillpay--"

Thewomanshrankfromthemwithacry."Howmuch?"sheasked.

"Half-a-crown!"

ThewifeofMac-an-Wardthrewoutherarmsinawildgestureofdespair."MyGod!"shecried."Isoldit.Iwrongedmysickbrother."

"Wheredidyousellit,mother?"

"Here,tothishandsomedarkman."

"Howmuchdidhepay?"

"Eighteen-pence."

Thethreeyoungstersraisedtheirhardfacestotheskyandraisedalonghowl,likebeagleswhohadlosttheirquarry.

Suddenlythewoman'sfacebrightened.ShelookedeagerlyatFestus

Clasby,thenlaidthehandoffriendship,ofappeal,onhisarm."Ihaveit!"shecried,joyfully.

"Havewhat?"askedFestusClasby.

"Awayoutofthetrouble,"shesaid."Ameansofsavingmybrotherfromwrong.AwayofbringinghimhisownfortheCanwiththeDiamondNotch."

"Whatwaymightthatbe?"askedFestusClasby,hismannergrowingsceptical.

"Iwillgototheshopmanwithitandgetthehalf-crown.Havinggotthehalf-crownIwillhurrybackhere--oryoucancomewithme--andIwillpayyoubackyourone-and-six.InthatwayIwillmakeanothershillinganddoyounowrong.Isthatagreed?"

"Itisnotagreed,"saidFestusClasby."Givemeoutthetincan.Iamdonewithyounow."

"It'srobbery!"criedthewoman,hereyesfullofablazingsuddenanger.

"Whatisrobbery?"askedFestusClasby.

"Doingmeoutofashilling.Wrongingmysickbrotheroutofhisearnings.Amanworthhundreds,maybethousands,tostandbetweenapoorwomanandashilling.Iamdeceivedinyou."

"Outwiththecan,"saidFestusClasby.

"Letthewomanearnhershilling,"saidMac-an-Ward.HisvoicecamefrombehindFestusClasby.

"Ourmothermustgethershilling,"criedthethreeyoungsters.


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FestusClasbyturnedabouttoMac-an-Ward,andashedidsohenoticedthattwomenhadcomeandsettheirbacksagainstawallhardby;theyleanedlimply,casually,againstit,buttheywere,henoticed,ofthesametribeastheMac-an-Wards.

"Itwasalwayslucky,theCanwiththeDiamondNotch,"saidthewoman."Thisofferofthemaninthebigshopisasignofit.Iwillnotallowyoutobreakmybrother'sluckandhelyinginhisfever."

"Byheaven!"criedFestusClasby."Iwillhaveyouallarrested.Iwillhavethelawofyounow."

Hewheeledaboutthehorseandcart,settinghisfaceforthepolicebarrack,whichcouldbeseenshininginthedistanceintheplumageofamagpie.Thetwomenwhostoodbycameover,andfromtheothersideanothermanandthreeoldwomen.WithMac-an-Ward,Mrs.Mac-an-Ward,andthethreeyoungMac-an-Wards,theygroupedthemselvesaroundFestusClasby,andhewasvaguelyconsciousthattheyweregroupedwithsomemilitaryart.Alowmurmurofadisputearoseamongthem,risingsteadily.Hecouldonlyhearsnatchesoftheirwords:'Giveitbacktohim,''Hewon'tgetit,''HowcanhebetravellingwithouttheCanwiththeDiamondNotch?''IsittheCanwiththeDiamondNotch?''No,''Maybeitis,maybeitisnot,''Whoknowsthat?''Isayyes,''Holdyour

tongue,''Beoff,youslut,''Rattleaway.'Peoplefromthetownwereattractedtotheplace.FestusClasby,thedisputestirringsomethinginhisownblood,shookhisfistinthelongnarrowfaceofMac-an-Ward.Ashedidsohegotatipontheheelsandapressureuponthechestsenthimstaggeringafewstepsback.Oneoftheoldwomenheldhimupinherarmsandanotheroldwomanstoodbeforehim,strikingherbreast.FestusClasbysawthewispsofhairhangingaboutthebonyfaceandfrothatthecornersofhermouth.Vaguelyhesawtheworkingofthebonesofherwastedneck,andbelowitalongV-shapedgleamoftheyellowtannedbreast,whichshethumpedwithherfist.Afterwardsthememoryofthisuglyoldtrollopremainedwithhim.Theyoungsterswereshootinginandoutthroughthegroup,sendingup

unearthlyshrieks.Twoofthemenpeeledofftheircoatsandweresparringateachotherwickedly,shoutingallthetime,whileMac-an-Wardwasmakingatumultuouspeace.Thecommotionandthestrife,ortheillusionofstrife,increased."Oh,"anonlookercried,"thetinkersaremurderingeachother!"

Thepatienthorseatlastraiseditsheadwithatossandasnortovertherabble,andthenwheeledabouttobreakaway.Withtheinstinctofhiskind,FestusClasbyrushedtotheanimal'sheadandheldhim.Ashedidsothestripedpetticoatsandthetossingshawlsofthewomenflashedabouttheshaftsandthebodyofthecart.Themenraisedahoarseroar.

AneighbourofFestusClasby,drivingupthestreetatthismoment,wasamazedtoseethegreatmanoflandsandshopsinthemidstofthewranglingtinkers.Hepulledup,marvelling,thenwenttohim.

"Whatisthis,Festus?"heasked.

"Theyhaverobbedme,"criedFestusClasby.

"Robbedyou?"


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"Ay,ofmoneyandofproperty."

"GoodGod!Howmuchmoney?"

"Idon'trightlyknow--Iforget--someshillings,maybe."

"Oh!Andofproperty?"

"Nomatter.Itisonlyonearticle,butproperty."

"Comehome,Festus;inthenameofGodgetoutofthis,"advisedthegoodneighbour.

ButFestusClasbywasstrangelymoved.Hewasbehavinglikeamanwhohaddrinktaken.Somethinghadhappenedwoundingtohissoul."Iwillnotgo,"hecried."Imusthavebackmymoney."

Thetinkershadnowceaseddisputingamongthemselves.Theyweregroupedaboutthetwomenasiftheywereonlyspectatorsofaninterestingdispute.

"BackImusthavemymoney!"criedFestusClasby,hisgreathandgoingupinamightythreat.Thetinkersclickedtheirtonguesontheroofsoftheirmouthsinasoundofamazement,asmuchastosay,"Whata

terriblething!Whatawonderfulandamightyman!""Iadviseyoutocome,"persuadedhisneighbour.

"Never!Godismyjudge,never!"criedFestusClasby.

Againthetinkersclickedtheirtongues,lookedateachotherinwonder.

"Youwillbethankfulyoubroughtyourlifeoutofthis,"saidtheneighbour."Letitnotbesaidofyouonthecountrysidethatyouwereseenwranglingwiththetinkersinthistown."

"Shame!Shame!Shame!"brokeoutlikeashockedmurmuramongthe

attentivetinkers.

FestusClasbyfacedhisaudienceinallhissplendidproportions.Neverwasheseensomoved.Neverhadsuchagreatpassionseizedhim.Thesofttonesofhiseyeswerenolongersoft.Theyshoneinfierywroth."IwillatleasthavethatwhichIboughttwiceover!"hecried."Iwillhavemytincan!"

Immediatelythegroupoftinkersbrokeupinthegreatestdisorder.Hoarsecriesbrokeoutamongthem.Theybehavedlikepeopleuponwhomsomefearfuldoomhadbeensuddenlypronounced.Theoldwomenthrewthemselvesabout,rackedwithpainandterror.Theybeattheirhandstogether,threwwildarmsindespairinggesturestothesky,raisinga

harrowinglamentation.Themengrowledinsullengutturals.Theyoungsterskneltontheroad,givingoutthewildbeagle-likehowl.Voicescriedabovetheuproar:"Whereisit?WhereistheCanwiththeDiamondNotch?GethimtheCanwiththeDiamondNotch!HemusthavethecanwiththeDiamondNotch!HowcanhetravelwithouttheCanwiththeDiamondNotch?He'lldiewithouttheCanwiththeDiamondNotch!"

FestusClasbywasendeavouringtodeliverhissoulofimpassionedprotestswhenhisneighbour,assistedbyabystanderortwo,forciblyhoistedhimuponhiscartandhewasdrivenawayamidagreathowling


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fromthetinkers.

Itwastwilightwhenhereachedhisplaceamongthehills,andthegoodwhitelettersunderthethatchshowedcleartohiseyes.Pullinghimselftogetherhedrovewithanairaboutthegableandintothewideopenyardattheback,fowlsclearingoutofhisway,asheep-dogcomingtowelcomehim,acalfmewingmournfullyoverthehalf-doorofastable.FestusClasbywassoothedbythishomely,thisworshipful,environment,andgotoffthecartwithasigh.Insidethekitchenhecouldhearthefaithfulwomentrottingaboutpreparingthegreatmaster'smeal.Hemadereadytocarrytheprovisionsintotheshop.Whenheunwrappedthesackingfromthebacon,somethinglikeasuddenstabwentthroughhisbreast.Perspirationcameoutonhisforehead.Severallargelongsliceshadbeencutoffinjaggedslashesfromtheflitches.Theylaylikewoundedthingsonthebodyofthecart.Hepulleddowntheotherpurchasesfeverishly,horrorinhisface.Howmanyloaveshadbeentornoffhisbatchofbread?Wherewereallthepacketsofteaandsugar,thecurrantsandraisins,theflour,thetobacco,thecream-of-tartar,thecarawayseeds,thenutmeg,thelemonpeel,thehairoil,the--

FestusClasbywipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead.Hestumbledoutoftheyard,satuponaditch,andlookedacrossthesilent,peaceful,innocentcountry.Howgooditwas!Howlovelywerethebeastsgrazing,

fattening,inthefields!Hissoftvelvetyeyesweresuddenlyfloodedwithabitteremotionandhewept.

TheloavesofbreadwereundertheshawlofthewomanwhohadsupportedFestusClasbywhenhestumbled;thebaconwasunderanotherbrightshawl;thetobaccoandflourfelltothelotofherwhoseyellowbreastshowedtheplayofmuchsunandmanywinds;theteaandsugarandthenutmegandcarawayseedswereunderthewingofthewifeoftheSonoftheBardintheCanwiththeDiamondNotch.

BOTHSIDESOFTHEPOND

I

Mrs.Donohoemarkedtheclearnessofthesky,thenumberandbrightnessofthestars.

"Therewillbeashareoffrostto-night,Denis,"shesaid.

DenisDonohoe,herson,adjustedaprimitiveboltonthestabledoor,thensniffedattheair,hisbroadnostrilsquiveringsensitivelyasheraisedhishead.

"Thereisiceinthewind,"hesaid.

"Makeastartwiththeturftothemarketto-morrow,"hismotheradvised."Peopleintownwillbewantingfiresnow."

DenisDonohoewalkedovertothedimstackofbrownturfpiledatthebackofthestable.Itwastheresincetheearlyfall,thedryearthcutfromthebog,theturfthatwouldmakebrightandpleasantfiresintheopengratesofConnachtforthewintermonths.Awayfromitspreadthe


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levelbogland,asweepofcountrythathad,theysaid,intheinfancyoftheearthbeenagreatoakforest,acrosswhichinlatertimeshadrovedpacksofhungrywolves,andwhichcouldatthisdayclaimthemostprimitiveformofindustryinWesternEurope.Outintothisboglandinthesummerhadcomefromtheircabinsthepeasantry,menandwomen,DenisDonohoeamongthem;theyhaddugupslicesofthespongy,wetsod,cutitintopiecesratherlargerthanbricks,lickeditintoshapebystampinguponitwiththeirbarefeet,stackeditaboutinlittlerowstodryinthesun,onesodleaningagainsttheother,lookinginthemoonlightlikeagreathostofweebrownfairiesgroupedincouplesforamidnightdanceonthecarpetofpurpleheather.Nowthetimehadcometoconvertitintosuchmoneyasitwouldfetch.

DenisDonohoewhistledmerrilythatnightashepiledthedonkeycart,or"creel,"withthesodsofturf.Longbeforedaybreaknextmorninghewasabout,hismovementsquicklikeonewhohadgreatbusinessonhands.Thekitchenofthecabinwasilluminatedbyarushlight,theraysofwhichdidnotgomuchbeyondasmalldealtable,scrubbedwhite,wherehesatathisbreakfast,anunusuallygoodrepast,forhehadtea,home-madebreadandaboiledegg.Hismothermovedaboutthedimkitchen,waitingonhim,herbarefeetalmostnoiselessontheblackearthenfloor.Heateheartilyandsilently,makingtheSignoftheCrosswhenhehadfinished.Hismotherfollowedhimoutonthedarkroadtobidhimgoodluck,standingbesidethecreelofturf.

"Thereshouldbeabriskdemandnowthatthewinterisuponus,"shesaidhopefully."Godbewithyou."

"GodandMarybewithyou,mother,"DenisDonohoemadeanswerashetookthedonkeybytheheadandledhimalongthedarkroad.Thelittleanimaldrewhisburdenveryslowly,thecartcreakingandrockingnoisilyovertheunevenroad.NowandthenDenisDonohoespoketohimencouragingly,softly,hisgazeatthesametimegoingtotheeast,searchingtheblankskyforahintofthedawntocome.

Buttheyhadgonerockingandswayingalongthewindingroadforalongtimebeforethedaydawned.DenisDonohoemarkedthespreadofthe

light,theslowloomingupofarangeofhills,thesweepofbrownpatchesofbog,thengreyandgreenfields,brokenbytheglimmerofbluefakes,slopesofbrownfurzemakingforthemadullframe.

"Nowthatwehavetheblessedlightwewon'tfeelthejourneyatall,"DenisDonohoesaidtothedonkey.

Theassdrewthecreelofturfmorebriskly,shookhiswinkersandswishedhistail.WhentheystruckverysharphillsDenisDonohoegottothebackofthecart,puthishandstotheshafts,and,loweringhishead,helpedtopushuptheload,themusclesspringingtautatthebackofhisthicklimbsashepressedhardagainstthebrightfrostyground.

Astheycamedownfromthehillshealreadyfeltveryhungry,hisfingerstenderlyfondlingtheslicesofoatenbreadhehadputawayinthepocketofhisgreyhomespuncoat.Buthecheckedtheimpulsetoeat,thelongjawofhisswarthyfaceset,hisstrongteethtighttogetherawaitingtherighthourtoplaytheireagerpart.Ifheatealltheoatenbreadnow--splendid,dry,hardstuff,madeofoatmealandwater,bakedonagridiron--itwouldleavetoolongafastafterwards.DenisDonohoehadbeenbroughtuptopractisecautioninthesematters,tosubjecthisstomachtoarigorousdiscipline,forlifeonthevergeofabogisanexactingbusiness.InsteadofobeyingtheimpulsetoeatDenis


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Donohoeblewwarmbreathsintohispurplehands,beathisarmsabouthisbodytodeadenthebittercold,whistled,tooksomestepsofanodddancealongtheroad,andwentontalkingtothedonkeyasifheweremakingpleasantconversationtoacompanion.Theonlysignoflifetobeseenonearthorairwasathinlineofwildduckhighupinthesky,onegroupmakingwidecirclesoveravividmountainlake.

HalfwayonhisjourneytothecountrytownDenisDonohoepulleduphislittleestablishment.Itwasoutsidealonelycottageexactlylikehisownhome.Therewasthesamebrownthatchontheroof,agarlandofverdantwildcreepersdroopingfromaspotatthegable,thesametwosmallwindowswithoutanysashesinthefrontwall,thesamenarrowruttypathwayfromtheroad,thesamesortofyellowhencacklingheatedly,herlegsquiveringassheclutchedthedrabhalfdoor,thesamescentofdecayedcabbageleavesintheair.DenisDonohoetookasackofhayfromthetopofthecreelofturf,andspreadsomeofitonthesideoftheroadforthedonkey.Whilehedidsoawomanwhoworeawhitecap,agreybodice,athickwoollenredpetticoat,underwhichherbareleanlegsshowed,cametothedoor,wavingtheyellowhenoffherperch.

"Gooddaytoyou,Mrs.Deely,"DenisDonohoesaid,showinghisstrongteeth.

"Welcome,Denis.Won'tyoustepinandwarmyourselfatthefire,forthedayissharp,andyouareearlyontheroad?"

DenisDonohoesatwiththewomanbythefireforsometime,theirexchangeoffamilygossipquietandagreeable.Theyoungmanwas,however,uneasy,glancingaboutthehousenowandthenlikeonewhomissedsomething.Thewoman,droppinghercalmeyesonhim,divinedhisthoughts.

"Agnesisnotabout,"shesaid."ShestartedofffortheCappaPostOfficeanhourgone,forwehadtidingsthataletteristhereforusfromSydney."

"Aletterfromhersister?"

"Yes,Maryismarriedthereanddoingwell."

DenisDonohoeresumedhisjourney.

Attheappointedspotheravenouslydevouredtheoatenbread,thenstretchedhimselfonhisstomachonthegroundandtooksomedraughtsofwaterfromaroadsidestream,drawingitupwithaslowsuckingnoise,histeethchattering,hiseyesonthebrightpebblesthatglitteredbetweensomegreencressatthebottom.Whenhehadfinishedthedonkeyalsolavedhisthirstatthespot.

Hereachedthemarkettownwhileitwasyetmorning.Heledthecreelofturfthroughthestragglingstreets,wheresomepeoplewiththesleepintheireyesweremovingabout.Theonlysoundhemadewasalowwordofencouragementtothedonkey.

"Howmuchforthecreel?"amanasked,standingathisshopdoor.

"Sixshilling,"DenisDonohoereplied,andwaited,foritwasabovethebusinessofadecentturf-sellertopraisehiswaresorpressforasale.


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"Goodlucktoyou,son,"saidthemerchant,"Ihopeyou'llgetit."Hesmiled,foldedhishandsoneovertheother,andretiredtohisshop.

DenisDonohoemovedon,sayinginanundertonetothedonkey,"Gee-up,Patsy.Thatoldfellowisnogood."

Therewereotherinquiries,butnobodypurchased.Theysaidthatmoneywasveryscarce.DenisDonohoesaidnothing;moneywastooremoteathingforhimtoimaginehowitcouldbeeveranythingelseexceptscarce.Hegrewtiredofgoingupanddownpastshopswheretherewasnosignofbusiness,sohedrewthesidestreetsandlaneways,placeswherechildrenscreamedabouttheroad,wheretherewasascentofsoapywater,wherewomencametotheirdoorsandlookedathimwitheyesthatexpressedaslowresentment,theirarmsbareabovetheelbows,theirhairhangingdanklyabouttheirears,theirvoices,whentheyspoke,monotonous,andalwayssoundinganoteoftiredcomplaint.

OntheriseofalittlebridgeDenisDonohoemetared-hairedwoman,afamilyofchildrenskirmishingabouther;therewasabattlelightinherwolfisheyes,heridlehandswerefoldedoverherstomach.

"Howmuch,gossoon?"sheasked.

"Sixshilling.""Sixdevils!"Shewalkedovertothecreel,handlingsomeofthesodsofturfDenisDonohoeknewshewassearchingaconstitutionallyabusivemindforsomewordcontemptuousofhiswares.Shefounditatlast,forshesmackedherlips.ItwasintheGaelic."Spairteach!"shecried--awordthatwaseloquentofbadturf,stuffdugfromthefirstlayerofthebog,amerecoveringforthecorrectveinbeneathit.

"It'sgoodstoneturf,"DenisDonohoeprotested,alittlenettled.

Thewomanwasjoinedbysomepeoplewhowerehangingabout,anxioustotakepartinbargainingwhichinvolvednopersonalliability.They

argued,madejokes,shouted,andfinallybegantobullyDenisDonohoe,thewomanleading,hervoicehalfascream,herstomachheaving,hereyesdancingwithexcitement,ayellowfrothgatheringatthecornersofherangrymouth,herhandgrippingasodoftheturf,fortheonlydissipationlifenowofferedherwasthishagglingwithandshoutingdownofturfsellers.DenisDonohoestoodimmovablebesidehiscart,patientashisdonkey,hisswarthyfacestolidundertheshadowofhisbroad-brimmedblackhat,hisintelligenteyesquietlymeasuringhisnoisyantagonists.Whenthewoman'sangerhadquitespentitselftheturfwaspurchasedforfiveshillings.

DenisDonohoecarriedthesodsinhisarmstothekitchenofthepurchaser'shouse.Itentailedagreatmanyjourneysinandout,the

sodsbeingpileduponhishookedleftarmwithacertainskill.Hisroutelaythroughasmallshop,downasemi-darkhallway,acrossakitchen,thesodsbeingstowedunderastairwaywherecockroachesscamperedfromthethuddingofthefallingsods.

Womenweremovingaboutthekitchen,talkingincessantly,fumblingabouttables,alwaysappearingtosearchforsomethingthathadbeenlost,onecrooningoveracradlethatsherockedbeforethefire.Thesmellofcooking,thesoundofsomethingfattyhissingonapan,broughtasenseoffaintnesstoDenisDonohoe,forhewasravenouslyhungryagain.


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HestumbledawkwardlyinandoutoftheplacewithhisarmfulsofbrownsodsThewomenmovedwithreluctanceoutofhisway.Onceaservantgirlraisedthemostmelancholypairofwidebrowneyeshehadeverseen,sayingtohim,"Italwaysgoesthroughmetoheartheturffallinginthestair-hole.ItremindsmeofthedayIheardtheclayfallingonmefather'scoffin,Godbewithhimandforgivehim,forhediedinthehorrors."

BythetimeDenisDonohoehaddeliveredthecartloadofturfthelittledonkeyhadeatenallthehayinthesack.InthesmallshopDenispurchasedsomebacon,flourandtea,sothathehadonlysomecopperstobringhomewithhim.Aftersomehesitationhehandedbackonepennyforsomebiscuits,andtheseheateassoonashesetoutonthereturnjourney.

Thelittledonkeywentovertheroadthroughthehillsonthewaybackwithspirit,fordonkeysaregoodhomers.DenisDonohoesatuponthefrontofthecart,hislegsdanglingdownbesidetheshaft.Thedonkeytrotteddowntheslopesgayly,theharnessrattling,thecartswaying,jolting,makinganamazingnoise.

Thedonkeycockedhisears,fleckedhistail,evenindulgedinoneortwobuck-jumps,asherattleddownthehillyroads.DenisDonohoeonce

ortwiceleanedoutovertheshaft,andbroughthisopenhanddownonthehaunchofthedonkey,butitwasmoreacaressthanawhack.

Thelightbegantofade,thelandscapetogrowmoreobscure.SuddenlyDenisDonohoebrokeintosong.Theyweregoingoveralevelstretchofground.Thedonkeywalkedquietly.Thequiveringvoicerangoutoverthedarkeninglandscape,gaininginqualityandinsteadiness,aclearlightvoice,thenotescomingwiththeinstinctiveintonation,theperfectorderofthebornfolksinger.ItwassomeoldGaelicsong,arefrainthathadbeenpreservedlikethetrunksoftheprimevaloaksinthebogs,sucharefrainasmightclaimkinshipwiththeDresdenAmen,sungbygenerationsofGermanpeasantsuntilatlastitreachedtheearsofRichardWagner,givingbirthtoaclassic.AshesangDenisDonohoe

raisedhisswarthyface,hisprofilesharpagainstthepalesky,hiseyes,halfinrapturelikeallfolksingers,rangingoverthehills,hislongthroatpalpitating,swellingandslackeninglikethethroatofabirdquiveringinsong.Thenalightfromthesash-lesswindowsofMrs.Deely'scabinshonefaintlyandsilenceagainbroodedovertheplace.WhenhereachedthecabinDenisDonohoedismountedandwalkedintothekitchen,hiseyesbright,hisstepssoeagerthathebecameconsciousofitandpulledupatonce.

Mrs.Deelywassittingbythefire,herknittingneedlesbusy.DenisDonohoesatdownbesideher.Whiletheywerespeakingayounggirlcamefromtheonlyroominthehouse,and,crossingthekitchen,stoodbesidetheopenfireplace.

"AgneshadgreatnewsfromAustraliafromMary,"Mrs.Deelysaid."SheenclosedthepriceofthepassagefromthisplacetoSydney."

"Iwillbemakingthevoyagetheendofthismonth,"thegirlherselfadded.

Therewasanawkwardsilence,duringwhichMrs.Deelycarefullypilotedoneofherneedlesthroughanintricateturnintheheelofthesock.


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"Well,Iwishyouluck,Agnes,"DenisDonohoesaidatlast,andthengaveaqueeroddlittlelaugh,alittlelaughthatmadeMrs.Deelyregardhimquicklyandseriously.Shenoticedthathehadhiseyesfixedontheground.

"Itwillbeagreatchangefromthisplace,"thegirlsaid,fingeringsomethingonthemantelpiece."MarysaysSydneyisawonderfulbigcity."

DenisDonohoeslowlyliftedhiseyes,takingintheshapeofthegirlfromthebarefeettothebrightribbonthatwastiedinherhair.Whathesawwasaslimgirl,herlimbsshowingfaintlyinthefoldsofacheap,thinskirt,aloose,smallshawlrestingontheshoulders,herbosomheavinggentlywheretheshawldidnotmeet,herprofiledelicateandfaintinthelightofthefire,hereyes,suddenlyturneduponhim,beingtheeyesofagirlconsciousofhiseyes,herlowbreaththesweetbreathofagirlsteppingintoherwomanhood.

"Well,Godprosperyou,AgnesDeely,"DenisDonohoesaidaftersometime,androsefromhisseat.

Thetwowomencameoutontheroadtoseehimoff.Hedidnotdally,jumpedontothefrontofthecartandrattledaway.

Overheadtheskywaswinterclear,thestarsmerry,eternal,thewholeheavenbrilliantinitssilent,stupendoussong,itsperpetualMagnificat;butDenisDonohoemadetherestofthejourneyinablacksilence,gloomintherigidfigure,thestoopingshoulders,thedanglinglegs;andthehillsseemedtodrawtheirgrimshadowsaroundhistragicridetothelonelylightinhismother'scabinonthevergeofthedeadbrownbog.

II

Therewasacontinuousclatterofconversationthatroseandfellandbrokelikethewavesonthebeach,therewasthedullshufflingof

uneasyfeetontheground,thetinklingofglasses,therattleofbottles,andoveritallthehalfhystericallaughofatipsywoman.Abovetheracketapenetrating,quiveringvoicewasraisedinsong.

Nowandagainblearyeyeswereraisedto,thestage,shadowyinafogoftobaccosmoke.Thefigureontheboardsstruttedabout,madesomefantasticsteps,thefacepallidinthestreakylight,themouthscarletasatulipforamomentasitopenedwide,themusclesaboutthelipswiryanddistinctfrommuchpractice,thewordsofthesongcominginavehementnasalfalsettoandinabrogueacquiredintheBowery.Thewhitefaceofthemanwhoaccompaniedthesingeronthepianowasraisedforamomentinatiredgesturethatwasalsoaprotest;intheeyesofthesingerastheymetthoseoftheaccompanistwasanexpressionof

cynicalCeltichumour;inthesmoulderinggazeofthepianistwasthepatient,stubbornsouloftheSlav.Thelookbetweentheseentertainers,onefromConnachttheotherfromPoland,wasalittleactofmutualcommiserationandamutualexpressionofcontemptforthenoisydescendantsoftheLostTribeswhomademerryintheplace.

ACockneywhohadexchangedHoundsditchfortheBoweryleeredupbroadlyattheCeltprancingaboutthestage.Heturnedtothecompanionwhosatdrinkingwithhim,atall,bonyhalf-caste,herblackeyesdancinginaheadthatquiveredfromanagueacquiredinIllinois.


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"'E'sallryght,isPaddy,"saidthevoicefromHoundsditch.Hepointedathumbthatwasacertificateofvillainyinthedirectionofthestage.

"Sure,"saidthecolouredlady,whoseancestryrambledbackawayAlabama.Shelookedupatthestagewithherboldeyes.

"Iknowhim,"shesaid,thoughtfully."AndIlikehim,"sheaddedgrinning."Wealllikehim.He'soneoftheboys."

"Wotpriceme?"saidtheHoundsditchman.

"Oh,you'regood,too,"saidthecolouredlady."Blowinanothercocktail,honey."Shestruckherbreastwheretheuneasyboneshowedthroughtheduskyskin."I'veafearfulthirstrightthere."

Littlepuckersgatheredaboutthesmall,humorouseyesoftheCockneyashelookedather."My,"hesaid,"you'avegotathirstandacapacity,OleSahara!"

Thecolouredladyraisedthecocktailtoherfatlips,andasshedidsotherewasasuddenracket,menshouting,womenclappingtheirhands,thevoiceofthetipsywomandominantinitshysteriaovertheuproar.

Thesingerwasbowingprofuseacknowledgmentsfromthestage,hiseyes,slyintheircynicalhumour,uponthefaceoftheSlavatthepiano,hisheadthrownback,thepallorofhisfaceghastly.

TheladyfromAlabamajoinedinthetributetothesinger.

"'Core,'core,"criedOleSahara,raisingherglassinthedimvapour."Here'stoDenisDonohoe!"

THEWHITEGOAT

I

Thewhitegoatstoodinalittleclearingclosedinbyaringofwhinsonthehillside.Herheadswayedfromsidetosideliketheslowmotionofthependulumofagreatclock.Thelegswerealittlespread,thekneesbent,thesidesslack,thesnoutgreyanddry,theudderlimp.

TheHerdknewthewhitegoatwasingreatagony.Shehadrefusedtheshareofbranhehadbroughther,hadturnedawayfromthearmfuloffreshivyleaveshislittledaughterheldouttoher.Hehaddesistedfromthemilking,shehadmoanedsocontinuously.

SomedaysbeforetheHerdhadfoundtheanimalinjuredonthehill;thepreviousnighthehadheardthelabourersmakinganoise,shoutingandsinging,astheycrossedfromthetillagefields.Heknewwhathadhappenedwhenhehadseenthemarksoftheirhob-nailedbootsonherbody.Shewasalwaysasensitivebrute,ofabreedthatcamefromthelowlands.ThesombreeyesoftheHerdglowedinasmoulderingpassionashestoodhelplesslybywhilethewhitegoatswungherheadfromsidetoside.


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Hegatheredsomedrybrackenandspreadabedofitnearthewhitegoat.Itwouldbeunkindtoallowhertolieonthewetgrasswhenthetimecamethatshecouldnolongerstand.Helookedupattheskyandmarkedthedirectionofthewind.Ithadgoneroundtothewest.Cloudswerebeginningtomoveacrossthesky.Therewasavividlightbehindthemountains.Theairwasstill.Itwouldraininthenight.Hehadthoughtforthewhitegoatstandingthereinthedarkness,swayingherheadinagony,thebrackengrowingsoddenatherfeet,therainbeatingintohereyes.Itwasacoldplaceandwind-swept.Wheneverthewhitegoathadbrokenhertethershehadflownfromittothelowlands.Herememberedhow,whileleadingheracrossafieldonce,shehaddrawnbackinsometerrorwhentheyhadcometoapoolofwater.

TheHerdlookedathislittledaughter.Thechildhaddrawnsomedistanceaway,theivyleavesfallenfromherbarearms.Hewasconsciousthatsomefearhadmadehereyesroundandbright.Whatwasitthatthechildfeared?Heguessed,andmarvelledthatachildshouldunderstandthestrangethingthatwasabouttohappenupthereonthehill.TheknowledgeofDeathwasshininginstinctivelyinthechild'seyes.Shewaspartofthestillnessandgreynessthatwascreepingoverthehillside.

"Wewilltakethewhitegoattotheshelterofthestable,"theHerdsaid.

Thechildnodded,thefearstilllingeringinhereyes.Heuntiedthetetherandlaidhishandonthehornofthegoat.Sheansweredtothetouch,walkingpatientlybutunsteadilybesidehim.

Afterawhilethechildfollowed,takingtheotherhorn,gently,likeherfather,forshehadallhisunderstandingofandnearnesstothedumbanimalsofthefields.Theycameslowlyandsilently.Thelightfailedrapidlyastheycamedownthehill.Everythingwasmergedinashadowyvagueness,thecolourofthewhitegoatbetweenthetwodimfiguresaloneproclaimingitself.Akidbleatedsomewhereinthedistance.Itwasthecryofayoungthingforitssuckle,andtheHerdsawthatforamomentthewhitegoatraisedherhead,theinstinctof

hernaturemovingher.Thenshetottereddownthehillinthedarkness.

Whentheyreachedthefrontofthestablethewhitegoatbackedpainfullyfromtheplace.TheHerdwaspuzzledforamoment.Thenhesawthelittlepoolofwaterinafaintglimmerbeforetheirfeet.Hebroughttheanimaltooneside,avoidingit,andshefollowedthepressureofhisdirectinghand.

Hetookdownalanternthatswungfromtheraftersofthestableandlightedit.Inacornerhemadeabedoffreshstraw.Theanimalleanedoveralittleagainstthewall,andtheyknewshewasgratefulfortheshelterandthesupport.Thentheheadbegantoswayinawearyrhythmfromsidetosideasifthepaindroveiton.Herbreathquickened,

brokeintolittlepants.Henotedthethinvapourthatsteamedfromaboutherbody.TheHerdlaidhishandonhersnout.Itwasdryandredhot.Heturnedawayleadingthechildbythehand,thelanternswingingfromtheother,throwinglongyellowstreaksoflightaboutthegloomofthestable.Heclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim.

II

ItwaslatethatnightwhentheHerdgotbackfromhisroundsofthe


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pastures.Hisbootssoakedinthewetgroundandtheclothesclungtohislimbs,fortherainhadcomedownheavily.Arumbleofthundersoundedoverthehillsasheraisedthelatchofhisdoor.Hefeltgladhehadnotleftthewhitegoattetheredinthewhinsonthehill.

Hislittledaughterhadgonetosleep.Hiswifetoldhimthechildonbeingputtobedhadweptbitterly,butrefusedtoconfessthecauseofhergrief.TheHerdsaidnothing,butheknewthechildhadweptforthewhitegoat.Thethoughtofthechild'semotionmovedhim,andheturnedoutofthehouseagain,standinginthedarknessandtherain.Whyhadtheyattackedthepoorbrute?Heaskedthequestionoverandoveragain,butonlytherainbeatinhisfaceandaroundhimwasdarkness,mystery.Thenheheardthevoiceshigheruponthesideofthehill,firstalaugh,thensomeshoutsandcries.Athickvoiceraisedtherefrainofasong,anditcameboomingthroughthemurkyatmosphere.TheHerdcouldhearthewords:

Wherearethelegswithwhichyourun?Hurroo!Hurroo!Wherearethelegswithwhichyourun?Hurroo!Hurroo!WherearethelegswithwhichyourunWhenfirstyouwenttocarryagun?Indeed,yourdancingdaysaredone!

Och,Johnny,Ihardlyknewye!Andthencamethechoruslikearoardownthehills:

Withdrumsandguns,and,gunsanddrumTheenemynearlyslewye;Mydarlingdear,youlooksoqueer,Och,Johnny,Ihardlyknewye!

Thevoicesofthelabourerspassingfromthetillagefieldsdiedaway,andtherumbleofthundercamedownmorefrequentlyfromthehills.TheHerdcrossedhisgarden,hisbootssinkinginthesoftground.Halfwayacrosshepaused,foraloudcryhaddominatedthefuryofthebreaking

storm.Hisearswerequickforthecriesofanimalsindistress.Hewentonrapidlytowardthestable.

Thegroundgrewmoresloppyandathinstreamofwatercamefromtherimofhissoftblackhat,streamingdownhisface.Henotedtheflashesoflightningoverhead.Throughitallthecryofthewhitegoatsounded,withthatweird,vibrating"mag-gag"thatwasthetraditionalnoteofherrace.IthadapowerfulappealfortheHerd.Itstirredafeelingofpassionwithinhimashehurriedthroughtherain.

Howtheymusthavelaceratedher,apoorbrutechainedtothesod,atthemercyoftheirabuse!Theredrowofmarksalonghergams,rawandterrible,sprangtohissightoutofthedarkness.Vengeance,vengeance!

Hegrippedhispowerfulhands,openingandclosingthefists.Thenhewasconsciousofsomethinginthestormandthedarknessthatrobbedhimofhiscravingforpersonalvengeance.Allthatbelongedtotheprimitivemanwelledupinhim.Heknewthatintheheartofthefuturetherelurkedareckoning--something,somebody--thatwouldcountthetallyattheappointedtime.Thenhehadturnedroundthegableofthestable.Hesawtheghostlywhitething,shadowyintheblackness,lyingprostratebeforethedoor.Hestoodstill,hisbreathdrawninward.

Therewasamovementinthewhiteshape.Hecoulddiscerntheblurred


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outlineoftheheadoftheanimalassheraiseditupalittle.Therewasalowmoanfollowedbyagreatcry.TheHerdstoodstill,terrorinhisheart.Forheinterpretedthatcryinalltheterribleinarticulateconsciousnessofhisownbeing.Thatcrysoundedinhisearslikeanappealtoallthegenerationsofwrongeddumbthingsthathadevercomeunderthelashofthetyrannyofmen.Itwastheprotestofthebrutecreationagainsthumanity,andtotheHerditwasajudgment.Thenhiseyescaughtamurkygleambesidethefallenwhiteshape,andthephysicalsenseofthingsjumpedbacktohismind.

Herememberedthatinwetweatherapoolofwateralwaysgatheredbeforethestabledoor.Herememberedthattherewasaglimmerofittherewhenhehadledthewhitegoatintothestable.Herememberedhowshehadshownfearofit.

Hestoopeddownoverthewhitegoatwhereshelay.Thinwispsofherhairfloatedaboutlookinglikedimwraithsagainsttheblacknessofthepool.Hecaughtalookofthebrowneyesandwasawarethattheudderandteatsbulgedupfromthewater.Hesankdownbesideher,thewatermakingasplashashiskneesdroppedintotheplace.Theanimalraisedherheadalittleandwithpain,forthehornsseemedtoweighlikelead.Butitwasanacknowledgmentthatshewasconsciousofhispresence;thentheheadfellback,agurglesoundingoveroneoftheears.

TheHerdknewwhathadhappened,anditwasallverytragicaltohismind.Hiswifehadcomeouttothestableforsomething,andhadleftthedooropenbehindher.Thewhitegoat,goadedbythegrowingpain,hadstaggeredoutthedoor,perhapsfeelingsomedesirefortheopenfieldsinheragony.Thenshehadseenbeforethethresholdofthedoorthatwhichhadalwaysbeenahorrortoher--apoolofwater.TheHerdcouldseehertotteringandswayingandthenfallingintoitwithacry,fulfillingherdestiny.Hewonderedifhehimselfhadthesameinstinctforthethingsthatwouldprovefataltohim?Whywashealwayssonervouswhenhestoopedtoorlayupontheground?Whydiditalwaysgivehimafeelingthathewouldbetrampledunderthehoovesofstampedingcattleroundedupfortreatmentforthewarblefly?He

trembledasheheardthebeatofhoovesonthegroundbehindhim.Hepeeredaboutandforawhiledidnotrecognisetheshapethatmovedrestlesslyaboutinthedarkness.Heheardtheneighofthebroodmare.Heknewthenshehadbeenhoveringaboutthestableafraidtogoinoutofthestorm.Shewasafraidtogoinbecauseofthethingthatlaybeforethestabledoor.Heheardtheansweringcalloftheyoungfoalinthestable,andheknewthatit,too,wasafraidtocomeoutevenatthecallofitsdam.Deathwasaboutinthatnightofstorm,andallthingsseemedconsciousofit.

Hestoopeddownoverthewhitegoatandworkedhishandsunderhershoulders.Heliftedherupandfeltthestrainalloverhisframe,themusclesspringingtenseonhisarms.Shewasadeadweight,andhehad

alwayspridedonhersize.Hiskneesdugintothepuddleinthebottomofthepoolashefeltthepressureonhishaunches.Hestrainedhardashegotoneofhisfeetunderhim.Withaquickefforthegottheotherfootintopositionandroseslowly,liftingthewhiteformoutofthepool.Theshaggyhairhungfromthewhitegoat,limpandreeking,numerousthinstreamsofwatermakingalittlerippleastheyfell.ThelimbsoftheHerdquiveredundertheweight,hestaggeredback,hisheavybootsgrindinginthegravel;thenhesethisteeth,thelimbssteadiedthemselves,heswayeduncertainlyforamoment,thenstaggeredacrossthestabledoor,consciousofthehammerstrokesoftheheartof


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thewhitegoatbeatingagainsthisownheart.Helaidherdowninthebedofstrawandheardtheyoungfoalboundingoutofthestableinterror.TheHerdstoodintheplace,thesweatbreakingoutonhisforehead,thendroppingingreatbeads.

Thewhitegoatbegantomoan.TheHerdwasawarefromtherustlingofthestrawthatherlimbswereworkingconvulsively.Heknewfromthenatureofherwoundsthatherdeathwouldbeprolonged,heragoniesextreme.Whatifheputheroutofpain?Itwouldbealloverinamoment.Hishandwenttohispocket,feelingitontheoutside.Hemadeouttheshapeoftheknife,buthesitated.

Oneofthehoovesofthewhitegoatstruckhimontheankleasherlimbsworkedconvulsively.Hishandwentintohispocketandclosedaroundtheweapon.Hewouldneedtobequickandsure,tohaveasteadyhand,tomakeaswiftmovement.Heallowedhimselfsomemomentstodecide.Thenthebladeoftheknifeshotbackwithasnap.

Thesoundseemedtoreachthewhitegoatinallitsgrimsignificance.Shestruggledtoherfeet,moaningmoreloudly.TheHerdbegantobreathehard.Hewasafraidshewouldcryoutevenasshehadcriedoutasshelayinthepoolbeforethestabledoor.TheterrorofthethingsthatmadeupthatcrybrokeinupontheHerd.Heshookwithfearofit.Thenhestoopedswiftly,hisfingersnervouslyfeelingoverthedelicate

courseofthethroatofthewhitegoat.Hishandsmovedalittlebackwardsandforwardsinthedarkness.Hefeltthehotstreamonhishands,thentheanimalfellwithoutasound,herhornsstrikingagainstthewall.Hestoodoverherforamomentandwasconsciousthathishandswerewet.Thenherememberedwithashudderthatthewholetragedyofthenighthadbeenoneofrainsandpoolsandwaterandclingingdampthings,ofpuddlesandsweatsandblood.Evennowtheknifeheheldinhisfingerswasdripping.Heletitfall.Itfellwithaqueerthud,soundingofflesh,ofadeadbody.Ithadfallenonthedeadbodyofthewhitegoat.Heturnedwithagroanandmadehiswayuncertainlyforthestabledoor.

Atthedoorhestood,thoughtscrowdinginuponhim,questionsbeating

uponhisbrainandgivingnotimeforanswer.Aroundhimwasdarkness,mystery,Death.Whatrighthadhetothrusthishandblindlyintotheheartofthismystery?Whohadgivenhimthepowertohastentheend,tosummonDeathbeforeitstime?HadnotNatureherownwayforcountingoutthehoursandtheminutes?Hadnotshe,orsomeotherpower,appointedanhourforthewhitegoattodie?Shewouldlive,eveninagony,untiltheycouldbearherupnolonger;andhavingdiedNaturewouldpassherthroughwhateverchannelherlawshadordained.Hadnotthewhitegoatmadeherlastprotestagainsthisinterferencewhenshehadrisentoherfeetinherdeathagony?Andifthewhitegoat,dumbbeastthatshewas,hadsufferedwrongatthehandsofman,thentherewas,theHerdnowknew,aPowerdeliberateandinexorable,scrupulousinitsdelicateadjustmentofrightandwrong,thatwouldbalancethe

accountattheappointedaudit.

Hehadaninarticulateunderstandingofthesethingsashemovedfromthestabledoor.Hetrippedoverabarrowunseeninthedarknessandfellforwardonhisfaceintothefield.Ashelaythereheheardthethuddingofhoovesontheground.Herose,dizzyandunnerved,toseethedimshapesofsomecattlethathadgathereddownabouttheplacefromtheupland.Hefelttherainbeatinguponhisface,theclotheshungdankandclammytohislimbs.Hisbootssoakedandsloppedwhenhestepped.Aboomofthundersoundedoverheadandavividflashof


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lightninglitupforaninstantagreatelmtree.Hesawallitsbranchesshiningwithwater,dropsglisteningalongathousandstraytwigs.Thenthevoicesofthelabourersreturningoverthehillsbrokeinuponhisears.Heheardtheirshouts,thesnatchesoftheirsongs,theirnoise,alltheribaldryofmenmerryintheirdrink.

TheHerdgropedthroughthedarknessforhishouselikeahalf-blindman,hisarmsoutbeforehim,andasuddengustofwindthatsweptthehillsideshriekedaboutthebloodofthewhitegoatthatwasstillwetuponhishands.

THESICKCALL

AmanwearingthegreyfriezecoatandthesoftblackhatofthepeasantryrodeuptotheMonasterygateonawiry,long-tailednag.Whenherangthebellatthehall-doortherewasaclatterofsandalsonaflaggedhallinside.

ThedoorwasopenedbyalayBrotherinabrownhabit,agirdleaboutthewaistfromwhichagreatRosarybeadswassuspended.Thepeasant

turnedasoftblackhatnervouslyinhishandsashedeliveredhismessage.TheFriarwhovisitedailingpeoplewas,hesaid,wanted.Ayoungmanwaslyingveryillawayuponthehills.Nothingthathadbeendoneforhimwasofanyaccount.Hewasnowverylow,andhispeopleweretroubled.MaybetheFriarwouldcomeandraisehisholyhandsoverKevinHooban?

Thepeasantgavesomeaccountofhowtheplacemightbereached.HalfanhourlatertheSpanishFriarwasonaside-caronhiswaytothemountain.Iwasontheothersideofthecar.TheSpanishFriarspokeEnglishbadly.Thepeasantry--mostofwhomhadwhattheycalledBarlabriste(brokenEnglish)--couldunderstandonlyanoccasionalwordofwhathesaid.AtmomentsofcompletedeadlockI,aMassserver,actedas

asortofinterpreter.Forthis,andforwhateverpoorcompanionshipIafforded,Ifoundmyselfonthesickcall.

Theroadbroughtusbyalakewhichgaveachillyairtothelandscapeinthewinterday,thenpastastripofcountrymeagrelywooded.Weturnedintoanarrowroadthatstruckthehillsatonce,skirtingaslopingplacecoveredwithscrubandquitedark,likeablackpatchonthelandscape.Afterthatitwasabarrenpasture,prolificonlyinbleachedbouldersofrocks,ofbrackenthatlaywasted,ofbroomthatwassere.Itwasaverystillafternoon,notabreathofwindstirring.Sheeplookingbulkyintheirheavyfleeceslayaboutinthegrass,somotionlessthattheymightbetheworkofavigoroussculptor.Thebranchesofthetreesweresostill,sodelicateintheiroutlines

againstthepalesky,thattheymadeoneuneasy;theyseemedtohavelosttheartofwaving,asifleavesshouldneveragainflutteruponthem.Anet-workoflowstonewallsputlooselytogether,markingofftheabsurdlysmallfields,straggledoverthefaceofthelandscape,lookinginthecuriouseveninglightlikeagreatgreywebfantasticallyspunbysomehumorousspider.Thebrownfigureofashepherdwithasheepcrookinhishandroseuponadistanthill.Hemightbeasacredfigureintheredchancelofthewesternsky.Inamomenthewasgone,leavingonedoubtfulifhehadnotbeenanillusion.Alongarmyofstarlingstrailedrapidlyacrossthehorizon,awrigglingmotionmarking


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theircourselikethemotioninthebodyofagiganticsnake.Everythingonthehillsseemed,asthelightreddenedandfailed,togrowvast,grotesque.Thesilencewhichreignedoveritallwasoppressive.

Straycabinsskirtedtheroadside.Somepeoplemovedaboutthem,leavingonetheimpressionofaremotenessthatwasmelancholy.ThewomenintheirbarefeetmadelittlecurtesiestotheFriar.Childreninlongdressesranintothecabinsatsightofthestrangers,likerabbitsscuttlingbacktotheirburrows.Havingfoundrefugetheylookedoutoverthehalf-doorsasthecarpassed,theireyessparkling,humorous,fullofanalertinquisitiveness,theirfacesfreshasthewind.

Agroupofpeopleswungalongtheroad,speakingvolublyinIrish,givingonetheimpressionthattheyhadmadeagreatjourneyacrosstherangeofhills.Theygaveusasalutationthatwasalsoablessing.WepulledupthecarandtheygatheredabouttheFriar,lookingupathimfromundertheirbroad-brimmedblackhats,thecountenancesforthemostpartdarkandprimitive,thetypemoreofFirbolgthanMilesianorigin.

WhentheFriarspoketothemtheypaused,shuffled,lookedateachother,puzzled.HalfunconsciouslyIrepeatedthepriest'swordsforthem.

"Oh,youareheadingforthehousewhereKevinHoobanislyingsick?"

"Yes."

"Thepriestisgoingtoreadoverhim?"

"Yes."

"Andmaybetheyareexpectinghim?"

"Yes."

"Wehearditsaidheisverylow,astrangenesscomingoverhim."

"Isthehousefar?"

"No,nottoofarwhenyouareoncea-pastthedemesnewall,withtheivyuponit.Keeponthestraightroad.Youwillcometoastreamandagulletandaroadclippingintothehillsfromittotheright;gopastthatroad.Westofthatyouwillseetwopoplartrees.Beyondthemyouwillcometoaboreen.Turndownthatboreen;itisverynarrow,andyouhadbestturnuponesideofthecarandbothsittogether,ormaybethethornyhedgeswouldbeslashingyouonthefaceinthedarknessoftheplace.Attheendoftheboreenyouwillcometoashallowriver,andithavingashinglebottom.Putthemaretoitandacrosswithyou.Willyoubeabletorememberallthat?"

"Yes,thanks."

"Verywell.Listennow.Whenyouareacrosstheriverwiththeshinglybottomdrawuponthebackmeadow.Youwillseealightshiningtothenorth.LetonebawloutofyouandPatchKeetlywillbeathandtotakethemarebythehead.HewillbringyoutothehousewhereKevinHoobanislyinginhistrouble.AndGodgrant,Father,thatyouwillbeabletoreachoutahelpinghandtohim,andtoputyourstrengthinholywordsbetweenhimandthemthathasaholdofhim;heisafineyoungmanwithoutfaultorblemish,andthegrandestmakerofmusicthateverput


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aliptothefideg.Keepaneyeoutforthepoplartrees."

"Verygood.Godbewithyou."

"Godspeedyoukindly."

Wedroveon.Aswedidsowetriedtopiecethedirectionstogether.ThetwopoplartreesappearedtotouchsomecuriousstrainofhumourintheSpanishFriar.Butitallcametopassastheprophethadspoken.Wecametotheivywall,tothestream,thegullet,theroadthatclippedintothehillstotheright,andalongwaybeyonditthetwopoplartrees,tall,shadowy,greatintheirlonelinessonthehills,sentinelsthatappearedtoguardsomemountainfrontier.Thelighthadrapidlygone.Thewholelandscapehadswoonedawayintoavague,darkchaos.Overheadthestarsbegantoshow,theairwascutting;itbitwithfrost.Andthenweturneddownthedarkboreen,themareventuringintoitwithsomemisgiving.IthinktheFriarwasprayinginanundertoneinhisnativeBasqueaswepassedthroughthenarrowmountainboreen.Attheendofitwecametotheshallowriverwiththeshinglybottom.Againthemarerequiredsomepersuasionbeforesheventuredin,thewheelscrunchingonthegravel,herfetlockssplashingtheslow-moving,chocolate-colouredwater.Ontheoppositebankwereachedasortofplateau,seenvaguelyinthelight.I"letabawloutofme."Itwaslikethecryofsomelonely,lostbirdonthewing.TheFriarshookwith

laughter.Icouldfeelthelittlerockofhisbodyonthespringsofthecar.Afigurecamesuddenlyoutofthedarknessandsilentlytookthemarebythehead.Thecarmovedonacrossthevaguebackmeadow.PatchKeetlywaspilotingustoalightthatshoneinthenorth.

Peoplewerestandingaboutthefrontofthelong,low-thatchedhouse.Lightsshoneinallthewindows,thedoorstoodopen.Thepeopledidnotspeakordrawnearaswegotdownfromthecar.Therewasafearfulsilenceabouttheplace.Thegroupingofthepeopleexpressedmystery.Theyeyedusfromtheircuriouslyaloofangles.Theyseemedasmuchapartoftheatmosphereofthehills,asfixedinthelandscapeasthelittleclumpsoffurzeorthetwolonelypoplarsthatmountedguardoverthemouthoftheboreen.

"Won'ttheholyFatherbegoingintothehouse?"PatchKeetlyasked."Iwillunyokethemareandgiveherashareofoatsinthestable."

TheFriarspoketomeinanundertone,andwecrossedtotheopendoorofthehouse.

Thedoorleddirectlyintothekitchen.Twowomenwerestandingwellbackfromthedoor,somethingrespectful,alittlemysteriousandalittlefearfulintheirattitude.TheireyeswereupontheFriar,andfromtheirexpressionstheymighthaveexpectedsomesortofapparitiontocrossthethreshold.Theymadeacurtesytohim,dippingtheirbodiesinalittlesuddenjerk.Nobodyelsewasinthekitchen,and,despite

thealmostoppressiveformalityoftheirattitude,theysomehowconveyedasenseofthepowerofwomeninthehouseholdintimeofcrisis.Theywereinsupremecommand,themenalloutside,whenalifehadtobebattledfor.Theelderofthewomencameforwardandspoketothepriest,biddinghimwelcome.Thereceptionlookedasifithadbeenrehearsed,bothwomenpainfullyanxioustodowhatwasright.

Thereappearedsomelittlemisunderstanding,andIwastoodazedwiththecold--whichIhadonlyfullyfeltwhenIgotoffthecarandfoundmylegscramped--tocometotherescueasinterpreter.TheSpanishFriar


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wasaccustomedtotheselittleembarrassments,andhehadamannerofmeetingthemwithasmile.Themisunderstandingandtheembarrassmentseemedtothawtheformalityofthereception.Thewomenlookedrelieved.Theywereobviouslynotexpectedtosayanything,andtheyhadnofearnowthattheywouldbeputtotheordealofmeetingapossiblysuperiorperson,onewhomightpatronisethem,makeaflutterintheirhome,appalthembyexpectingagreatdealofattention,inshort,be"veryEnglified."TheSpanishFriarhadveryquickintuitionsandsomesubtlewayofhisownforconveyinghisemotionsandhisrequirements.HewasinspiritnearertothepeasantrythanmanyoftheFriarswhothemselvescamefromthefleshofthepeasantry.Andthesetwopeasantwomen,veryquickinboththeirintuitionsandtheirintelligence,seemedattheverymomentofthebreakdownofthefirstattemptatconversationtounderstandhimandhetounderstandthem.TheelderofthewomenledthepriestintoaroomoffthekitchenwhereIknewKevinHoobanlayill.

Theyoungerwomanputachairbeforethefireandinvitedmetositthere.WhileIsatbeforethefireIcouldhearthequickbutquietstepofherfeetaboutthekitchen,thelittleswishofhergarments.Presentlyshedrewneartothefireandheldoutaglass.Itcontainedwhatlookedlikediscolouredwater,verylikethewaterintheshallowriverwiththeshinglybottom.Imusthaveexpressedsomelittlesurprise,evendoubt,inmyface,forsheheldtheglasscloser,asif

reassuringme.Therewassomethingthatinspiredconfidenceinhermanner.Itooktheglassandsippedtheliquid.Itleftahalf-burned,peatytasteinthemouth,andsomehowsmackedverynativeinitsflavour.Ithoughtofthehills,thelonelybushes,theslowmovementofthechocolate-colouredriver,themenwiththeprimitivedarkfacesunderthebroad-brimmedhats,theirmysterious,evendramaticwayofgroupingthemselvesaroundthelightedhouse.Thepeatyliquidseemedabrewoutofthesameatmosphere.Iknewitwaspoteen.AndinamomentIfeltitcoursingthroughmybody,warmingmyblood.Theyoungwomanstoodbythefire,halfinshadow,halfintheyellowflameoftheturffire,herattitudequietbuttense,veryalertforanymovementinthesickroom.

Thedooroftheroomstoodslightlyopen,andthelowmurmuroftheFriar'svoicerecitingaprayerinLatincouldbeheard.Theyoungwomansighed,herbosomrisingandfallinginaquickbreathofpain.ThenshemadethesignoftheCross.

"Mybrotherisverylow,"shesaid,sittingdownbythefireafteratime.Hereyeswereuponthefire.HerfacewaslesshardthanthefacesIhadseenonthehills.Shelookedgood-natured.

"Ishelongill?"

"Thislongwhile.Buttolookathimyouwouldconceithewasassoundasatrout.Firsthewasmoody,mopingabouttheplace,andnoway

wishfulforcompany.Hourshewouldspendbelowatthebuttofthemeadow,nearbythewater,sittingunderthethornbushandheplayinguponthefideg.Thenhebegantolosetheuseofhislimbs,andcryingheusedtobewithinintheroom.Someofthepeoplewhohaveknowledgesayheislyingunderacertaininfluence.Hecannotspeaknow.TheholyFriarwillknowwhatisbesttobedone."

WhentheFriarcameoutoftheroomhewasdivestinghimselfoftheembroideredstolehehadputoverhisshoulders.


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Thewhite-cappedoldwomanhadexcitementinherfaceasshefollowedhim.

"Kevinspoke,"shesaidtotheother."Helookedupattheblessedmanandhemadeanoffertocrosshimself.Icouldnothearthewordshewasspeaking,thatsofttheycomefromhislips."

"Kevinwilllive,"saidtheyoungerwoman,catchingsomeoftheexcitementofhermother.Shestoodtensely,drawnupnearthefire,gazingvacantlybutintentlyacrossthekitchen,asifshewouldwillitsopassionatelythatKevinshouldlivethathewouldlive.Shemovedsuddenly,swiftly,noiselesslyacrosstheflooranddisappearedintotheroom.

Thepriestsatbythefireforsometime,theoldwomanstandingby,respectful,buthereyesriveteduponhimasifshewouldpluckfromhimallthesecretsofexistence.Thepriestwasconscious,alittleuneasy,andalittleamused,atthisabnormalscrutiny.Someshufflingsoundedoutsidethehouseasifadroveofshyanimalshadcomedownfromthemountainandapproachedthedwelling.Presentlythedoorcreaked.Ilookedatituneasily.Theatmosphereoftheplace,thefumesofthepoteeninmyhead,theheatofthefire,hadgivenmeamorepowerfulimpressionofthemysterious,theweird.Nothingshowedatthedoorforsometime,butIkeptmyeyeuponit.Iwasrewarded.Aclusterofheads

andshouldersofmen,swarthy,gloomy,someawfulforebodingintheexpressionoftheirfaces,hungroundthedoorandpeeredsilentlydownattheFriarseatedatthefire.AgainIhadthesensethattheywouldnotbesurprisedtoseeanysortofapparition.Theheadsdisappeared,andtherewasmoreshufflingoutsidethewindowsasifshyanimalswerehoveringaroundthehouse.Thedoorcreakedagain,andanotherbunchofheadsandshouldersmadeaclusteraboutit.Theylooked,asfarasIcouldseethem,thesamegroupofheads,butIhadthefeelingthattheywerefreshspectators.Theyweretakingtheirviewinturn.

Thepriestventuredsomeconversationwiththewomanofthehouse.

"DoyouthinkwillKevinlive,Father?"

"Heshouldhavemorecourage,"theFriarsaid.

"Wewillallhavemorecouragenowthatyouhavereadoverhim."

"Keepthefaith.ItisallinthehandsofGod.ItisonlywhatispleasingtoHimthatwillcometopass."

"BlessedbeHisHolyName."Thewomaninclinedherheadasshespokethewords.Thepriestrosetogo.

Theyounggirlcameoutoftheroom."Kevinwilllive,"shesaid."Hespoketome."Hereyeswereshiningasshegazedathermother.

"Couldyoutellwhatwordshespoke?"

"Icould.Hesaid,'InthemonthofApril,whenthewaterrunsclearintheriver,Iwillbeplayingthefideg.'ThatiswhatKevinsaid."

"Whentheriverisclear--playingthefideg,"theelderwomanrepeated,somelookoftrouble,almostterror,inherface."ThecrossofChristbetweenhimandthatfideg!"


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ThepriestwasmovingtothedoorandIfollowed.AsIdidsoIgotaglimpse,throughthepartlyopenroomdoor,oftheinvalid.Isawthelong,pallid,nervous-lookingfaceofayoungmanonthepillow.Alightfellonhisbrow,andIthoughtithadtheheight,andthearch,thegoodshapeslopingbackwardtothelonghead,ofamusician.Theeyeswereshiningwithanunnaturalbrightness.Itwasthefaceofanartist,anidealist,intensified,idealised,byillness,bysuffering,byexcitement,andIwonderedifthevisionwhichKevinHoobanhadofplayingthefidegbytheriver,whenitranclearinApril,wereavisionofhisheavenorhisearth.

Weleftthehouse.PatchKeetlywastakingtheloopfromatraceasheharnessedthemareintheyellowlightofastablelantern.Wemountedthecar.Thegroupsofmendrewaboutus,theirmovementsagainsoundingliketheshufflingofshyanimalsonthesod,andtheybrokesilenceforthefirsttime.

TherewasmoresaidaboutKevinHooban.Fromvariousallusions,vagueandunsubstantial,littletouchesinthekind,musicalvoices,IgatheredthattheybelievedhimtobeundertheinfluenceoftheGoodPeople.Thesenseofmysteryandill-omencamebacktome,andIcarriedawayamemoryofthedarkfiguresofthepeoplegroupedaboutthelonelylightedhouse,standingthereinsorrowfortheflute-player,thegrassattheirfeetsparklingwithfrost.

THESHOEMAKER

Obeyingadomesticmandate,Padnawrappedapairofbootsinpaperandtookthemtotheshoemaker,whooperatedbehindawindowinaquietstreet.

TheshoemakerseemedtoPadnaamelancholyman.Heworegreatspectacles,hadawhitepatchofforehead,andtwogreatbumpsuponit.

Padnaconcludedthatthebumpshadbeenencouragedbytheprofessionalnecessityofconstantlyhanginghisheadoverhisknees.

TheshoemakerinvitedPadnatositdowninhisworkshop,whichhedid.Padnathoughtitmustbeverydrearytosittherealldayamongoldandnewboots,piecesofleather,boxesofbrasseyelets,awls,knives,andpunchers.Nowondertheshoemakerwasamelancholy-lookingman.

Padnamaintainedadiscreetsilencewhiletheshoemakerturnedhiscriticalglassesuponthebootshehadbroughthimforrepair.SuddenlythegreatglasseswereturneduponPadnahimself,andtheshoemakeraddressedhiminavoiceofamazingpleasantness.

"Whendidyouhearthecuckoo?"heasked.

Padna,atfirststartled,pulledhimselftogether."Yesterday,"hereplied.

"Didyoulookatthesoleofyourbootwhenyouheardhim?"theshoemakerasked.

"No,"saidPadna.


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"Well,"saidtheshoemaker,"wheneveryouhearthecuckooforthefirsttimeinthespringalwayslookatthesoleofyourrightboot.Thereyouwillfindahair.Andthathairwilltellyouthekindofawifeyouwillget."

TheshoemakerpickedalonghairfromthesoleofPadna'sbootandhelditupinthelightofthewindow.

"You'llbemarriedtoabrown-hairedwoman,"hesaid.Padnalookedatthehairwithoutfear,favour,oraffection,andsaidnothing.

Theshoemakertookhisplaceonhisbench,selectedahalf-madeshoe,gotitbetweenhisknees,andbegantostitchwithgreatgusto.Padnaadmiredtheskilfulmannerinwhichhemadetheholeswithhisawlanddrewthewax-endwithrapidstrokes.Padnaabandonedtheimpressionthattheshoemakerwasamelancholyman.Hethoughtheneversatnearamansooptimistic,somentallyemancipated,sodetachedfromtheindignityofhisoccupation.

"Theseareverysmallshoesyouarestitching,"saidPadna,makinghimselfagreeable.

"Theyare,"saidtheshoemaker."Butdoyouknowwhomakesthesmallestshoesintheworld?Youdon't?Well,well!...Thesmallestshoesinthe

worldaremadebytheclurichaun,acousinoftheleprechaun.Ifyoucreepuponthewestsideofafairyfortafterthesunhassetandputyoureartothegrassyou'llhearthetappingofhishammer.Anddoyouknowwhotheclurichaunmakesshoesfor?Youdon't?Well,well!...Hemakesshoesfortheswallows.Oh,indeedtheydo,swallowswearshoes.Twiceayearswallowswearshoes.Theyweartheminthespring,andagainatthefalloftheyear.Theywearthemwhentheyflyfromoneworldtoanother.AndtheycrosstheDeadSea.DidyoueverheartelloftheDeadSea?Youdid.Well,well!...NobirdeveryetflewacrosstheDeadSea.Anyofthemthattrieditdroppedandsanklikeastone.Sotheswallows,whentheycometotheDeadSea,getdownonthebank,andtheretheclurichaunshavemillionsofshoeswaitingforthem.TheswallowsputontheirshoesandwalkacrosstheDeadSea,steppingon

brightyellowandblackstepping-stonesthatshineacrossthewaterlikealovelycarpet.Anddoyouknowwhatthestepping-stonesacrosstheDeadSeaare?Theyarethebacksofsleepingfrogs.Andwhentheswallowsareallsafeacrossthefrogswakenupandbegintosing,forthenitisknownthesummerwillcome.Didyouneverhearthatbefore?No?Well,well!"

Acat,friendlyastheshoemakerhimself,leaptontoPadna'slap.Theshoemakershiftedtheshoehewasstitchingbetweenhisknees,puttingtheheelwherethetoehadbeen.

"Doyouknowwheretheyfirstdiscoveredelectricity?"heasked.

"InAmerica,"Padnaventured.

"No.Inthebackofacat.HewasabigbuckChinesecat.Everyhaironhimwassevenincheslong,incolourgold,andthickascopperwire.HewastheonlycatwhoeverlookedonthefaceoftheEmpressofChinawithoutblinking,andwhentheEmperorsawthathecalledhimoverandstrokedhimontheback.NosoonerdidtheEmperorofChinastrokethebuckcatthanbackhefellonhisplushthrone,asdeadashisancestors.SotheycalledinsevenwisedoctorsfromthesevenwisecountriesoftheEasttofindoutwhatitwaskilledtheEmperor.And


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aftersevenyearstheydiscoveredelectricityinthebackboneofthecat,andsignedaproclamationthatitwasfromtheshockofittheEmperorhaddied.WhentheAmericansreadtheproclamationtheydecidedtodowhateverkillinghadtobedoneasthecathadkilledtheEmperorofChina.TheAmericansarelikethat--allforimitatingroyalfamilies."

"Hasthiscatanyelectricityinher?"Padnaasked.

"Shehas,"saidtheshoemaker,drawinghiswax-end."Butshe'sacivilisedcat,notlikethevulgarfellowinChina,andcivilisedcatshidetheirelectricitymuchascivilisedpeoplehidetheirfeelings.ButonedaylastsummerIsawhershowingherelectricity.Amonstrousblackratcameprowlingfromthebrewery,abaldpatchonhisheadandapiecemissingfromhislefthaunch.Toseethatfellowcomingupoutofagulletandsteppingupthestreet,inthemiddleofthebroaddaylight,you'dimaginehewasthecountyinspectorofpolice."

"Anddidshefighttherat?"Padnaasked.

Theshoemakerputtheshoeonalastandbegantotapwithhishammer."Shedidfighthim,"hesaid."Shewentouttohimtwirlinghermoustaches.Helaydownonhisback.Shelaydownonherside.Theykeptgrinningandsparringateachotherlikethatforhalfanhour.Atlast

themonstrousratgotupinafuryandcomeather,thefangsstripped.Sheswungroundtheyard,doubledintwo,makingcircleslikeaCatherine-wheelabouthimuntiltheoldblackguardwasmesmerised.Andifyouweretoseethebulkofhertailthen,allherelectricitygoneintoit!Shecaughthimwithablowofitunderthejowl,andhefellinaswoon.Shestoodoverhim,herbacklikethebendofahoop,thetailbeatingabouther,andasmileonthesideofherface.Andthatwastheendofthemonstrousbreweryrat."

Padnasaidnothing,butputthecatdownonthefloor.Whenshemadesomeefforttoregainhislaphesurreptitiouslysuggested,withthetipofhisboot,thattheirententewasatanend.

Afewdropsofrainbeatonthewindow,andtheshoemakerlookedup,hisglassesshining,thebumpsonhisforeheadgleaming."DoyouknowthereasonGodmakesitrain?"heasked.

Padna,whohadbeenlisteningtotheconversationoftwofarmerstheeveningbefore,replied,"Ido.Tomaketurnipsgrow."

"Nonsense!"saidtheshoemaker,reachingoutforanawl."GodmakesitraintoremindusoftheDeluge.AndIdon'tmeantheDelugethatwasatallatall.ImeantheDelugethatistocome.Theworldwillbedrownedagain.Thebelly-bandoftheskywillgive,forthat'swhattherainbowis,anditonlymadeofcolours.Didyouneverknowuntilnowwhattherainbowwas?No?Well,well!...AsIwassaying,whenthe

belly-bandoftheskyburststheDelugewillcome.Inoneminuteallthevalleysoftheearthwillbefilledup.Inthesecondminutethemountainswillbetopped.Inthethirdminutetheskywillbeemptiedanditsskingone,andtheearthwillbenomore.Therewillbenoark,noNoah,andnodove.Therewillbenothingonlyonegreatwasteofgreywaterandinthemiddleofitonegreenleaf.ThegreenleafwillbeasignthatGodhasgonetosleep,thetroubleoftheworldbanishedfromHismind.Sowheneveritrainsremembermywords."

Padnasaidhewould,andthenwenthome.


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II

WhenPadnacalledontheshoemakerforthebootsthathadbeenleftforrepairtheywerealmostready.Thetipsonlyremainedtobeputontheheels.Padnasatdowninthelittleworkshop,andundertheagreeableinfluenceoftheplacehemadeboldtoasktheshoemakerifhehadgrownuptobeashoemakerasthegeraniumhadgrownuptobeageraniuminitspotonthewindow.

"What!"exclaimedtheshoemaker."DidyouneverheartellthatIwasfoundinthecountryunderaheadofcabbage?No!Well,well!Whatdotheytalktoyouathomeaboutatall?"

"Themostthingtheytellme,"saidPadna,"istogotobedandgetupinthemorning.Whatisthenameoftheplaceinthecountrywheretheyfoundyou?"

"Gobstown,"saidtheshoemaker."ItwasthemostmiserableplacewithintheringofIreland.Itlayundertheblightofagoodlandlord,nobetter.Thatwasitsmisfortune,andespeciallymymisfortune.IftheGobstownlandlordwasnotsuchagoodlandlordit'sdrivingontheboxofanempireIwouldbeto-dayinsteadofwhackingtipsontheheelsof

yourboots.Howcouldthatbe?I'lltellyouthat."InGobstownthetenantsroseupanddemandedareductionofrent;thegoodlandlordgaveittothem.Theyroseupagainanddemandedanotherreductionofrent;hegaveittothem.Theywentonrisingup,askingreductions,andgettingthem,untiltherewasnorentleftforanyonetoreduce.Thelandlordwasasgoodandaspoorasourbest.

"AndwhileallthiswasgoingonGobstownwassurroundedbyestateswheretherewerethemostferociouslandlords--rack-renting,absentee,evictinglandlords,landlordsaswildastigers.Andthesetigerlandlordswereleapingattheirtenantsandtheirtenantsslashingbackatthemasbesttheycould.Nothing,mydear,butbloodandthemusicof

grape-shotandshoutsinthenightfromthejungle.InGobstownwehadtositdownandlookon,pretending,moryah,thatwewereashappyasthedaywaslong.

"NotascalpwaseverbroughtintoGobstown.Nomanofuseverwentoutonanadventurewhichmightbringhimhomeagainthroughthemouthofthecountyjail.Notasecretenterprisethatmightbecomeagreatpublicexcitementwaseverhatched,nottospeakofbeinglaunched.Wehadnotasmuchasafife-and-drumband.Wedidnotknowhowtoplayatinwhistleorbeatuponthetintinnabulum.Weneverwavedagreenflag.Wehadnotabranchofanykindofaleague.Wehadnomenofskilltodraftaresolution,inditeathreateningletter,drawacoffin,skull,andcross-bones,fightapoliceman,orevenmakeaspeech.Wewerenever

adelegateataconvention,anenvoytoAmerica,adivisionalexecutive,adeputation,orademonstration.Wewerenothing.Wewiltedundertheblightofourgoodlandlordasthegreenstalkwiltsunderthefrostoftheblacknight....Handmethatknife.Theonewiththewoodenhandle.

"Indesperationweusedrouseourselvesandmarchintothedemonstrationsonotherestates.Wewereasmallandanunknowntribe.TheGobstowncontingentalwaysbroughtuptherearoftheprocession--agawky,straggling,bad-stepping,hay-foot,straw-footlot!Theonlookershardlyglancedatus.Westoodfornothing.Wehadnoname.Oncewe


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riggedupabannerwiththewordsonit,'GobstowntotheFront!'butstillwewereputtotheback,andwhenwewalkedthroughthistowntheservantgirlscameoutoftheirkitchens,laughedatus,andcalledout,'GobstowntotheBackoftheFront!'

"Thefightingmencametous,tookusaside,andaskeduswhatweweredoinginGobstown.Wehadnocasetomake.Weofferedtobringforwardourgoodlandlordasashiningexample,toleadourlambforwardinorderthathemightshowuptheman-eatersontheotherestates.Theorganiserswereallhostile.Theywouldnotallowusintotheprocessionsanymore.Ifwecouldbringforwardsomesortofroaringblackdevilwewouldbemorethanwelcome.Shiningexampleswerenotinfavour.Weweresenthomeindisgraceandbrokeup.Asthepreacherssay,ourlaststatewasworsethanourfirst.

"Webecamesullenanddrowsyandfatanddull.Wegottohatethesightofeachother,somuchsothatwebegantopayourrentsbehindeachother'sbacks,atfirstthereducedrents,then,galedaybygaleday,wegotbacktotheoriginalrent,andkeptonpayingit.Ourgoodlandlordtookhisrentsandsaidnothing.GobstownbecamethemostaccursedplaceinallIreland.Brothercouldnottrustbrother.Andtherewereourneighboursgoingfromonesensationtoanother.Theywereaslivelyastrout,asenterprisingasgoats,asintelligentasCorkmen.Theywerethinandeagerandgood-tempered.Theyatevery

little,drankwater,sleptwell,menwithhardknuckles,cleanbowels,andpaleeyes.Anythingtheyhitwentdown.Theywerealwaysreadytogotothegallowsforeachother.

"Ihadafamouscousinononeoftheseestates,andIsupposeyouheardofhim?Youdidn't!Whataretheyteachingyouatschoolatall?Latingrammar?Well,well!...Mycousinwasaclumsyfellowwithonlyalittleofmiddlingkindofbrains,butabitoffightinhim.Yetlookatthewayhegoton,andlookatme,shoddinglittleboyslikeyourself!Iwasbornunderaluckystarbutmycousinwasbornunderaluckylandlord--aferociousfellowwhogotintoagarretinLondonandkeptroaringacrossatIrelandformoreandmoreblood.EverytimeIthoughtofthatoldskinofamanhowlingintheLondongarretIsaidtomyself,'He'llbe

themakingofmycousin.'Andso,indeed,hewas.Threeagentswerebroughtdownonmycousin'sestate.Statetrialswererunninglikegreatplaysinthecourthouse.Bloodwasalwaysup.Theyhadsixfife-and-drumbandsandonebrassband.Theyhadgreenandgoldbannerswithharpsandstreamers,andmottoesinyellowlettering,thattookfourhardymentocarryonawindyday.TheheadsofthePeelerswerehardlyeveroutoftheirhelmets.Theresidentmagistrateroseonedayinthebosomofhisfamily,hiseyesclosed,tosaygracebeforemeals,andfromdintofhabithewaschantingtheRiotActoverthetableuntilhiswifeflewathimwith,'Howdareyou,George!Themuttonisquiteallright!'Littleboysnobiggerthanyourselfwalkingalongtheroadstoschoolinthatsplendidestatecouldjumpupontheditchandmakegoodspeeches.

"Mycousin'sminutebooks--hewassecretaryofeverything--wouldstockabook-shop,andwerenotedforbeautifulexpressions.Hewastheauthoroftenstylesofresolutionconstruction.AnenemychristenedhimResolvingKavanagh.Everytimeheresolvedtostandwherehealwaysstoodherevolved.Everybodyputupathishouse.HewasseeninmoretorchlightprocessionsthanBryanO'Lynn.AroominhishousewasdecoratedinabeautifulschemeofilluminatedaddresseswithborderdesignsfromtheBookofKells.Thehomesofthepeoplewerefullofthestumpsofburned-downcandles,theremainsofgreatilluminationsformycousinwheneverhecameoutofprison.ItellyounoliewhenI


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saythatthatclumsycousinofminebecamecleverandpolished,allthroughpurepractice.Hehadthebestoftutors.TheskinofalandlordintheLondongarret,hisagents,theirunderstrappers,removablemagistrates,judges,Crownsolicitors,countyinspectorsofpolice,sergeants,constables,secretservicemen,--alldrovehimfromfametofameuntilintheendtheychasedhimouttheonlygapthatwasleftopentothelikeofhim--theEnglishParliament.Thinkofthestreakofthatman'scareer!AndtherewasI,amanofcapacityandbrains,bornwiththegoldenspoonoftalentinmymouth,deadtotheworldinGobstown!Iwasrottinglikeaturnipunderthebestandthemostaccursedoflandlords.IntheendIcouldnotstandit--nomanofspiritcould.

"OnedayItookdownmyashplant,spatonmyfist,andsetoutformycousin'splace.Hegavemenowelcome.IinformedhimastohowthelandlayinGobstown.Isaidwemustbeallowedtomakeanameforourselvesastheproducersofashiningexampleofalandlord.Mycousinlethisheadlieoveralittletoonesideandthensaid,'Inthiscountryshiningexamplesoughtonlybeusedwiththegreatestmoderation.'Helookedoutthroughthewindowandaftersometimesaid,'ThatGobstownlandlordisthemostdangerouslunaticinallIreland.''Howisthat?'saidI.'Because,'saidmyfamouscousin,'hehasaperfectheart.'Heputhisheadovertotheotherside,lookedatmeandsaid,'IfGobstowndoesnotdosomethinghemaybethemeansofdestroyingusall.''How?'

saidI.'Hemaybecomecontagious,'saidmycousin.'OnlythinkofhisexamplebeingfollowedandIrelandturnedintoonevasttractofGobstowns!Wouldnotanyfateatallbebetterthanthat?'Iwhoknewsaid,'Godknowsitwould.'

"Mycousinsighedheavily.Heturnedfromme,leavingmestandingthereinthekitchen,andIsawhimmovingwithaladdertotheloftoverhead.Thishemountedanddisappearedintheblackrafters.Icouldhearhimfumblingsomewhereunderthethatch.Presentlydownhecametheladder,aguninonehand,andafistfulofcartridgesintheother.Hespokenoword,andIspokenoword.Hecametomeandputtheguninmyhandandthehandfulofcartridgesinmypocket.Hewalkedtothefireandstoodtherewithhisbackturned.IstoodwhereIwas,aGobstownmohawk,with

theguninmyhand.AtlastIsaid,'Whatisthisfor?'andgroundedthegunalittleonthefloor.Mycousindidnotansweratonce.Atlasthesaidwithoutmoving,'It'sforstirringyourtea,whatelse?'Ilookedathimandheremainedashewasand,thesweatbreakingoutonthebackofmyneck,Ileftthehouseandmadeacrossthefieldsforhome,thecartridgesrattlinginmypocketeveryditchIleapt,thefeeloftheguninmyhandbecomingmorefamiliarandmorefriendly.

"AtlastIcametothesummitofalittlegreenhilloverlookingGobstown,andthereIsatmedown.ThesightofGobstownrosethegorgeinme.Nothingcameoutofitbutweakpuffsofturfsmokefromthechimneys--littlepallidthinstreaksthatwobbledinthewind.There,saysI,istheheightofGobstown.Andnosoundcameupoutofit

exceptthecackleofgeese,andthenthebawlofanoldassinthebog.There,saysI,isthedepthofGobstown.AndrisingupfromthegreenhillI

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WAYSIDERS Stories of Connacht by SEUMAS O'KELLY

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