Page:Shiana - Peadar Ua Laoghaire.djvu/18

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4
SHIANA

light glowed in his eyes and in his features, so that Shiana was terrified.

Sheila.—Oh, dear me, Peg, I suppose poor Shiana fainted.

Peg.—He did not faint, but indeed it was all he could do to keep from it. As soon as he could speak he said,

"What sort of person are you?" And the answer he got was,

"Shiana, God is gracious to you. I am an angel. I am the third angel to whom you have given alms to-day for the Saviour's sake. And now you are to have three wishes from the God of Glory. Ask now of God any three wishes you please, and you will get them. But I have one piece of advice to give you. Don't forget Mercy."

"And do you tell me that I shall get my wish?" said Shiana.

"Certainly I do," said the angel.

"Very well," said Shiana. "I have a nice little soogaun chair at home, and every dalteen[1] that comes in must needs sit in it. The next person that sits in it, except myself, may he stick in it!"

"Oh, fie, fie, Shiana!" said the angel; "there is a beautiful wish gone to waste. You have two more; don't forget Mercy."

"I have," said Shiana, "a little malvogue of meal at home, and every dalteen that comes in must needs push his fist into it. The next person that puts his hand into that malvogue, except myself, may he stick in it!"

"Oh, Shiana, Shiana, you have not an atom of

  1. dailtín, a youngster (especially, an impudent youngster).