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58 finished his reflections and had made up his mind. He stood up and looked round him at the beautiful prospect.

"I have ten years at all events," said he, and he turned his face homeward.

When Shiana came near the house he heard the men talking loudly as if they were discussing something important. When he came in they stopped. He asked them what they were talking about. They were surprised at his asking, for he did not usually take any interest in their conversation.

"It is," said one of them," that Michael's people are in trouble this morning."

Shiana looked about him.

"And where is Michael," said he.

"He stayed at home," said the man who had spoken. "There is a bailiff coming there to demand rent, and I don't think they have a halfpenny of money under the roof of the house."

All Shiana did was to turn round and go out at the door.

Michael's mother was a widow. He went straight to the widow's house. He arrived before the bailiff, and only just before him. The widow welcomed him.

"What does he want?" said Shiana.

"The rent," said she.