Page:Beside the Fire - Douglas Hyde.djvu/161

 Rh The lad told him that Leeam O'Rooney was in the stable, and would not let him drive out the pig.

"Hold your tongue, you liar!" said the priest; "Leeam O'Rooney's dead and in the grave this week."

"If he was in the grave this seven years, I saw him in the stable two moments ago; and if you don't believe me, come yourself, and you'll see him."

The priest and the boy then went together to the door of the stable, and the priest said: "Go in and turn me out that pig."

"I wouldn't go in for all ever you're worth," said the boy.

The priest went in, and began driving out the pig, when Leeam rose up out of the straw and said: "Where are you going with my pig, Father Patrick?"

When the priest saw Leeam, off and away with him, and he crying out: "In the name of God, I order you back to your grave, William O'Rooney."

Leeam began running after the priest, and saying, "Father Patrick, Father Patrick, are you mad? Wait and speak to me."

The priest would not wait for him, but made off home as fast as his feet could carry him, and when he got into the house, he shut the door. Leeam was knocking at the door till he was tired, but the priest would not let him in. At last, he put his head out of a window in the top of the house, and said: "William O'Rooney, go back to your grave."

"You're mad, Father Patrick! I'm not dead, and never was in a grave since I was born," said Leeam.

"I saw you dead," said the priest; "you died suddenly, and I was present when you were put into the grave, and made a fine sermon over you."