Page:Beside the Fire - Douglas Hyde.djvu/155

 Rh couple of miles from the house a gentleman met him and asked him: "Is it wheat you've got on the cart?"

"It is," says Leeam; "I'm going to sell it to pay my rent."

"How much is there in it?" said the gentleman.

"There's a ton, honest, in it," said Leeam.

"I'll buy it from you," said the gentleman, "and I'll give you the biggest price that's going in the market. When you'll go as far as the cart boreen (little road) that's on your left hand, turn down, and be going till you come to a big house in the valley. I'll be before you there to give you your money."

When Leeam came to the boreen he turned in, and was going until he came as far as the big house. Leeam wondered when he came as far as the big house, for he was born and raised (i.e., reared) in the neighbourhood, and yet he had never seen the big house before, though he thought he knew every house within five miles of him.

When Leeam came near the barn that was close to the big house, a little lad came out and said: "A hundred thousand welcomes to you, William O'Rooney," put a sack on his back and went in with it. Another little lad came out and welcomed Leeam, put a sack on his back, and went in with it. Lads were coming welcoming Leeam, and putting the sacks on their backs and carrying them in, until the ton of wheat was all gone. Then the whole of the lads came round him, and Leeam said; "Ye all know me, and I don't know ye!" Then they said to him: "Go in and eat your dinner; the master's waiting for you."

Leeam went in and sat down at table; but he had not the second mouthful taken till a heavy sleep came on him, and he fell down under the table. Then the