Page:Shiana - Peadar Ua Laoghaire.djvu/87

Rh it into your head that she was here matchmaking for Sive and Shiana?"

They were walking slowly and moving away from the house, Michael's face toward home, Sive scolding after them, and Dermot waiting for an answer.

"Why then indeed," said Michael, "it was a curious thing that put it into my head—a dream that I had last night. I thought I was at Shiana's house, alone, sitting in the soogaun chair, with the malvogue opposite me, hanging on the mantel-piece. The malvogue took the shape of a woman's head, and the head spoke to me. I recognised Sive's voice coming out of it. 'Your mother,' said the head, 'is breaking her heart trying to make a match between me and Shiana, but it would be better for Shiana to die the worst death that ever came to a human being than that I should marry him.' With that I started up awake and I sprang up. I called my mother. I got no answer. I thought at once she must be here, and I followed her."

Dermot looked him straight in the eyes. Michael did not flinch. If Dermot had got all Ireland for it he could not have made out whether Michael was telling truth or falsehood. He paused for a good while. At last he said,

"I am afraid, Michael, that your dream was dreamt with your eyes open."

"Why then indeed," said Michael, "that is just the point. I can't make out at this moment, and I don't suppose I shall ever make out, whether I was asleep or awake when I called my mother."

"I would advise you," said Dermot, "whatever dreams you may have, not to come again. Go away