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64 correctly, except "May God direct me to do what is right! May God and Mary, His Mother, direct me to do what is right!" When Michael wanted his breakfast, the food was not ready for him. When it was put before him, it was only half cooked. He did not pretend to notice anything, but ate the food as well as he could.

"There is something the matter with my mother," said he to himself. "I don't know in the world what is coming over her. Surely it cannot be that that bailiff would be coming again? Mother," said he, "there is something troubling you. Had the bailiff any further claim to make that day?"

"Ach, no, Michael, not as much as a halfpenny. There isn't a bit wrong with me except that I didn't sleep much last night."

"The best thing you could do now, mother," said Michael, "would be to go and sleep for a bit."

"It is a bad thing to sleep in broad daylight, Michael," said she. "It is better for one to bear with it, if possible, so as to sleep well at night."

Michael went away up to Shiana's house, and set to at his work. He had not made two stitches when in came his mother after him. He raised his head and looked at her. Shiana raised his head and looked at her.

"Shiana," said she, "if you please, I would like to speak a word with you alone."

"Michael," said Shiana, "perhaps you wouldn't mind walking out there for a little while."

Michael walked out and put his back against a fence.

"I don't know in the world," said he to himself,