Page:Darby O'Gill and the Good People by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh (1903).djvu/29

Rh But that’ll never be,” she says, “because I must stop here till the Day of Judgment, then I must go to ⸻,” says she, beginning to cry, “but if you get out, you’ll bear a message to Bob for me, maybe?” she says.

“It’s aisy to talk about going out, but how can it be done?” asked Darby.

“There’s a way,” says Maureen, wiping her big, gray eyes, “but it may take years. First, you must know that the Good People can never put their charm on anyone who is willing to come with them. That’s whay you came safe. Then, agin, they can’t work harm in the daylight, and after cock-crow any mortal eye can see them plain; nor can they harm anyone who has a sprig of holly, nor pass over a leaf or twig of holly, because that’s Christmas bloom. Well, there’s a certain evil word for a charm that opens the side of the mountain, and I will try to find it out for you. Without that word all the armies in the worruld couldn’t get out or in. But you must be patient and wise and wait.”

“I will so, with the help of God,” says Darby.

At these words Maureen gave a terrible screech.

“Cruel man!” she cried, “don’t you know that to Rh