gentleman to whom he had refused the money, and whom he had called an "idle vagabond"!
He did not know what in the world he ought to say or do. He only stood just as he was and said nothing. They walked past him down the field, within three spades' lengths of him, without looking at him or noticing him any more than if he had not been there at all. They walked up at the other side of the field, the people making way for them and then pointing their fingers at them and shaking their heads and going into fits of laughter. When the big tinker saw them he stopped to look at them, with the donkey's halter over his arm. When they had gone past him he stole after them and swung the halter at them as if he were going to strike them; no fear that he really struck them, or that they were aware of him at all; but you would think that the people who were looking on at the fun would drop dead with laughter.
Shiana found no fun in it. He was too much amazed.
"Michael," said he, "go up as fast as your legs will carry you, and tell Grey Dermot that I want to speak to him at once."
Michael went off. Before he was half way up the field Dermot met him, and they returned.
"Who is that with Sive?" said Shiana.
"Indeed, Shiana," said Dermot, "I don't know much about him, except that he is a gentleman from somewhere near Dublin."
"What is his name?"
"Sheeghy MacGilpatrick his people call him."
"Who are his people?"
"Three other gentlemen who came with him."
