Page:Riders to the Sea.djvu/30



It’s the life of a young man to be going on the sea, and who would listen to an old woman with one thing and she saying it over?

Taking the halter.

I must go now quickly. I’ll ride down on the red mare, and the gray pony’ll run behind me The blessing of God on you.

He goes out.

Crying out as he is in the door.

He’s gone now, God spare us, and we’ll not see him again. He’s gone now, and when the black night is falling I’ll have no son left me in the world.

Why wouldn’t you give him your blessing and he looking round in the door? Isn’t it sorrow enough is on every one in this house without your sending him out with an unlucky word behind him, and a hard word in his ear?

Maurya takes up the tongs and begins raking the fire aimlessly without looking round.