Page:Riders to the Sea.djvu/41

 You did not, mother; it wasn’t Michael you seen, for his body is after being found in the far north, and he’s got a clean burial by the grace of God.

A little defiantly.

I’m after seeing him this day, and he riding and galloping. Bartley came first on the red mare; and I tried to say “God speed you,” but something choked the words in my throat. He went by quickly; and “the blessing of God on you,” says he, and I could say nothing. I looked up then, and I crying, at the gray pony, and there was Michael upon it—with fine clothes on him, and new shoes on his feet.

Begins to keen.

It’s destroyed we are from this day. It’s destroyed, surely.

Didn’t the young priest say the Almighty God wouldn’t leave her destitute with no son living?

In a low voice, but clearly.