When the Thin Woman was going back through the
pine wood she saw Meehawl MacMurrachu travelling
in the same direction and his brows were in a tangle of
perplexity.

"God be with you, Meehawl MacMurrachu," said
she.

"God and Mary be with you, ma'am," he replied, "I
am in great trouble this day."

"Why wouldn't you be?" said the Thin Woman.

"I came up to have a talk with your husband about a
particular thing."

"If it's talk you want you have come to a good house,
Meehawl."

"He's a powerful man right enough," said Meehawl.

After a few minutes the Thin Woman spoke again.
"I can get the reek of his pipe from here. Let you
go right in to him now and I'll stay outside for a while,
for the sound of your two voices would give me a pain
in my head."

"Whatever will please you will please me, ma'am,"
said her companion, and he went into the little house.