Page:Shiana - Peadar Ua Laoghaire.djvu/304

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290
SHIANA

upon the spear. Anyone looking at those men, and seeing their bright, sharp, clear eyes, and their firm, unflinching faces, and their curly heads, and their stout, strong, well-shaped shoulders, and their broad chests, and their thick heavy thighs, and their high-instepped feet, and their sinewy limbs, and their hard fists, would say without doubt that they were dangerous people for any enemy who would attempt to meddle with them.

"Well, Shiana," said the Captain, "that space of time is spent. I dare say you have put everything in order by this time. The King is impatient to see you below near him. It is for you that we have come."

"Very good, sir," said Shiana. "Whatever is in order or not in order, the thing that I promised I will fulfil."

And he went away with them.

Abbie.—Oh, dear me, Peg! It is broad day!
Kate.—And see! Here is Sheila with her head in my lap, sound asleep!
Nora.—It is time for your mother to have come, Peg. They said they would have that piece spun before daybreak.
Peg.—Here she is coming in to us.
Mary.— Well, girls, have you been lonesome? Is the story finished? "Godfrey," or "Stephen"—or—bad manners to him, what name is it you call him?
Peg.—Shiana, mother.
Mary.—Oh, yes, Shiana. Is he dead?
Kate.— No, Mary. He is gone off with the King's people.