Judy gave a great gasp, for it was the identical child the fairies stole from her down in the County Mayo.
“You don’t desarve much from me,” says the King, “but because Ann Mulligan—fine woman—asked it, I’ll do you a favour. You may take back the baby or I’ll give you a hundhred pounds. Take your choice, Barney Casey.”
Barney stood a long time with bowed head, looking at the child and thinking hard. You can surely see what a saryous question he had. One’s own child is worth more than a hundred pounds, but other people’s childhren are plenty and full of failings. Mulligan’s family peered up into his face, and his wife Judy sarched him with hungry eyes. At last he said, very slow:
“My mind has changed,” says he. “Though peoplt always tould me that childher were a throuble, a worry and a care, yesterday I’d give the County Clare for that little one. After this day’s work I know that sayin’s thrue, so I’ll take the hundhred pounds,” he says.
“Divil a fear of you takin’ the hundhred pounds!” snapped his wife, Judy, grabbing up the child. An’
