Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/212

204 On the counter were three heaps of money, one of gold, the second of silver, and the third of copper, and when the old woman went out, Cul-fin took some of the gold and silver and put it in her dress. But the witch was watching her from the outside, and she came in and told the girl she might take the light and go away.

The second morning the fire was quenched too, and as Cul-fin wouldn't go for a light this time, Cul-din had to go. The old woman told her to sit down as she told the other. Cul-din said she was in a hurry, for she wanted a light for her fire, which was quenched.

The old woman said she would fetch a light if she would wait. The gold, silver, and copper were left as before in three heaps on the counter, and when the old woman went out, Cul-din took a share of the gold and silver and hid it in her dress, and the old woman looking at her. She then came in and gave the girl a light and told her to go home.

The third morning it happened that the fire quenched again. So it came that neither of the two elder girls would go for a light, and Cul-corrach had to go for it. When she came to the little house the old woman told her to sit down.

"I'm in a hurry", said she, "and would you give me a light, as the fire has gone out?" And the old woman said she would if she'd wait while she went for it.

The three heaps of gold, silver, and copper were standing on the counter, but when the old woman was out, Cul-corrach never looked at any of them, and sat still on her stool.

The old woman came in then and asked her why she never saw her going to prayers, like the others; and she replied that her sisters wouldn't let her out, as they didn't think her handsome or good enough.

"Well", said she, "when they go to Mass on Sunday come to me the very minute they step out, that I may be able to do something for vou."