Part 8 (1/2)
As they sat eating, the piper began to play a soft, sad tune.
”They do say he learned it of the fairies,” whispered Mollie to Norah.
Just then, the children's school-teacher came and sat down beside them.
He heard the word ”Fairies.”
”Do you believe in fairies?” he asked Norah.
She lifted her blue eyes in surprise.
”Sure, sir. They live in the hills and caves. And there be some, I have heard, who have their homes under the waves of the sea. This night they are more lively than at most times.
”Mother was careful this morning not to drain the milk-pail. She wanted to leave a drop in case the fairy folk should come along and wish for a sup. And sure, sir, father never puts the fire out at night. He says maybe the fairies might like to rest a bit on our hearth before the morning.”
The schoolmaster smiled, but did not contradict the little girl. He thought it would only trouble the child.
Norah's father had once said, ”The teacher is a man of great larnin'.
And, strange to say, I have heard that people of larnin' have little belief in fairy folk.”
”Would you like me to tell you a story?” asked the teacher, after a moment or two.
”Oh, plaze do, indade!” said Norah and Mollie together. They loved their teacher dearly.
Their school was kept in a plain, bare little room with rough benches and desks. There was nothing bright or pretty about it. But their teacher was kind, and tried to help them learn. They were always glad to be with him and hear him talk.
”You have never been to the north of Ireland, have you?” he asked.
”Oh, no, sir. We've never been farther from home than the Lakes of Killarney,” answered Mollie.
”But you know, of course, that this is an island, and if you travel to the northeastern sh.o.r.e of Ireland you must cross the sea if you want to go to Scotland.”
”Yes, indeed, you showed that to us on the map at school.”
”I will tell you of a giant named Finn McCool, who is said to have lived on that rocky sh.o.r.e. Do you know what a giant is?”
”Oh, yes. He's like any other man, only he's ever and ever so much bigger,” answered Norah.
”Very well, then. This particular giant wished to fight another giant who lived in Scotland. He invited him to come across the sea to Ireland.
But the Scotch giant was not able to swim. So he answered:
”'I would gladly come if I could, but I cannot get across.'
”'It's an aisy matter to make a road for you,' said Finn. 'It is hardly worth speaking about.'
”He set to work at once and built a road, or causeway, made of stone pillars. They were placed close together, and reached upward from the bed of the sea. Of course, the Scotch giant could not refuse to come now.”
”Could we see it if we went there?” Mollie eagerly asked.