SHIANA
97
Abbie.—Oh, give her as many as you like, my dear child!
Nora.—You haven't told us yet, Peg, how a person could be a Céile Dé?
Peg.—What used your grandfather to say, Kate?
Kate.—He used to say that they gave up to God the love that a man gives to his wife.
Peg.—That is just it.
Sheila.—Upon my word, Peg, it was not for love of God praise for ever to Him!—but for fear of the Black Man, that Shiana made a Céile Dé of himself.
Peg.—The Black Man was not to come until the thirteen years should be spent, and there was nothing to prevent him from marrying her in the meantime.
Sheila.—Isn't that what I say? When he came perhaps he would carry them both away with him.
Abbie.—And wouldn't that show, Sheila, that it was for love of Short Mary herself that he would not marry her?
Peg.—Exactly so, Abbie. And if he gave up to God the love that he had for her, when he couldn't give it to herself without putting her into the power of the Black Man, isn't that the very thing that would make a Céile Dé of him, just as your grandfather said, Kate?
Abbie.—I suppose so.
Peg.—It is not supposing; it is a certainty, Abbie. But still I don't think Short Mary understood that view of the matter. If she had understood it, it is not likely she would have said what she did say to Michael's mother.
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