Page:Irish Fairy Tales (Stephens).djvu/388

312 "It is true," said Mongan.

"This is a wonderful hour and a glorious minute," said the hag, "for this is the first time in sixty years that any one wanted to talk to me. Talk on now," said she, "and I'll listen to you if I can remember how to do it. Talk gently," said she, "the way you won't disturb the animals, for they are all sick."

"They are sick indeed," said mac an Dáv pityingly.

"The cat has a sore tail," said she, "by reason of sitting too close to a part of the hob that was hot. The dog has a toothache, the horse has a pain in her stomach, and the hen has the pip."

"Ah, it's a sad world," said mac an Dáv.

"There you are!" said the hag.

"Tell me," Mongan commenced, "if you got a wish, what it is you would wish for?"

The hag took the cat off her shoulder and gave it to mac an Dáv.

"Hold that for me while I think," said she.

"Would you like to be a lovely young girl?" asked Mongan.

"I'd sooner be that than a skinned eel," said she.

"And would you like to marry me or the King of Leinster?"

"I'd like to marry either of you, or both of you, or whichever of you came first."

"Very well," said Mongan, "you shall have your wish."

He touched her with his finger, and the instant he touched her all dilapidation and wryness and age went from her, and she became so beautiful that one dared scarcely look on her, and so young that she seemed but sixteen years of age.