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THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE.
35
At times I merely care to dance and dance—
At times grow wiser than the eagle cock.
Father Hart.
What are you?
The Child.
I am of the faery people.
I sent my messengers for milk and fire,
And then I heard one call to me and came.
[They all except Maire Bruin gather about the priest for protection. Maire Bruin stays on the settle as if in a trance of terror. The Child takes primroses from the great bowl and begins to strew them between herself and the priest and about Maire Bruin. During the following dialogue Shawn Bruin goes more than once to the brink of the primroses, but shrinks back to the others timidly.
Father Hart.
I will confront this mighty spirit alone.
[They cling to him and hold him back.
