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210 now to have a little bit of fun at me, since I seldom give your reverence the opportunity for it."

"Well, really and truly, Cormac," said the priest, laughing, "it is not altogether a subject for fun or joking. 'A little alteration' you call it. In my opinion it is a very big alteration. But be it little or big, one thing is certain: if it was as a help and assistance to her husband that the wife was intended, I do not think there will be a man to be found whose wife will be a greater help and assistance to him than Sive will be to you when you have married her."

"Oh, give me your holy hand, Father!" said Cormac. "In fun or in earnest you say well, and a good hand you are at telling the truth. And when will it be convenient for your reverence to come and tie the knot for us?"

"Whatever time will fit in best with your own convenience, Cormac," said the priest.

The time was fixed. Before the King's men were gone out of the place they were told that the day was fixed, and what day it was. When they went home they told it to the King. The King sent off a messenger at once with a present of wine for the wedding, and with a ring for Sive. The messenger made good haste. He arrived just on the morning of the day of the marriage, after spending the week on the road,