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He stops suddenly, and puts his hand to his head.

PADRAIC.

What's on you, Matthias?

EOGHAN.

Are you sick, Matthias

MATTHIAS.

Something that came on my head. It's nothing. What's this I was saying?

COILIN.

You were saying the Báidín Matthias, but don't mind if you don't feel well. Are you sick?

MATTHIAS.

Sick? By my word, I'm not sick. What would make me sick We'll start again:

Isn't it fine, my little boat, sailing on the bay.

THE BOYS.

Oró, mo churaichín, O!

MATTHIAS.

The oars pulling strongly---

[(He stops again.)] Neighbours, the Báidín itself is gone from me. [(They remain silent for a spell, the old man sitting and his head bent on his breast, and the boys looking on him sorrowfully. The old man speaks with a start.)] Are those the people coming home from Mass?

CUIMIN.

No. They won't be free for a half hour yet.

COILIN.

Why don't you go to Mass, Matthias?

The old man rises up and puts his hand to his head again. He speaks angrily at first, and after that softly.

MATTHIAS.

Why don't I go?. . . I'm not good enough. By my word, God wouldn't hear me. . . What's this I'm saying?. . . [(He laughs.)] And I have lost the Báidín do ye say? Amn't I the pitiful object without my Báidín!!

He hobbles slowly across the road. Coilin rises and puts his shoulder under the old man's hand to support him. The boys begin playing `jackstones' quietly. Old Matthias sits on the chair again, and Coilin returns. Daragh speaks in a low voice.

DARAGH.



There's something on Old Matthias to-day. He never forgot the Báidín! before.

CUIMIN.

I heard my father saying to my mother, the other night, that it's not long he has to live.

COILIN.

Do you think is he very old?

PADRAIC.

Why did you put that question on him about the Mass? Don't you know he hasn't been seen at Mass in the memory of the people?

DARAGH.



I heard Old Cuimin Enda saying to my father that he himself saw Old Matthias at Mass when he was a youth.

COILIN.

Do you know why he doesn't go to Mass now?

PADRAIC.

(in a whisper)

It's said he doesn't believe there's a God.

CUIMIN.

I heard Father Sean Eamonn saying it's the way he did some terrible sin at the start of his life, and when the priest wouldn't give him absolution in confession there came a raging anger on him, and he swore an oath he wouldn't touch priest or chapel for ever again.

DARAGH.



That's not how I heard it. One night when I was in bed the old people were talking and whispering by the fireside, and I heard Maire of the Bridge saying to the other old women that it's the way Matthias sold his soul to some Great Man he met once on the top of Cnoc-a'-Daimh, and that this Man wouldn't allow him to go to Mass.

PADRAIC.

Do you think was it the devil he saw?

DARAGH.



I don't know. A `Great Man,' said Maire of the Bridge.

CUIMIN.

I wouldn't believe a word of it. Sure, if Matthias sold his soul to the devil it must be he's a wicked person.

PADRAIC.

He's not a wicked person, maise. Don't you mind the day Iosagan

said that his father told him Matthias would be among the saints on the Day of the Mountain?

CUIMIN.

I mind it well.

COILIN.

Where's Iosagan from us to-day?

DARAGH.



He never comes when there does be a grown person watching us.

CUIMIN.

Wasn't he here a week ago to-day when old Matthias was watching us?

DARAGH.



Was he?

CUIMIN.

He was.

PADRAIC.

Aye, and a fortnight to-day, as well.

DARAGH.



There's a chance he'll come to-day, then.


Date: 2015-12-11; view: 704


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