outside just so as to rub against us. We'll walk on quietly, as
if we suspected nothing, and when we are passing I'll give you a
shove. If you don't do YOUR duty then, woe be with you!"

Well, they walked on easy, and the poor hearts beating in both
their breasts; and though he could see nothing, he heard a faint
jingle and trampling and rustling, and at last he got the push
that she promised. He spread out his arms, and there was his
wife's waist within them, and he could see her plain; but such a
hullabulloo rose as if there was an earthquake, and he found
himself surrounded by horrible-looking things, roaring at him and
striving to pull his wife away. But he made the sign of the cross
and bid them begone in God's name, and held his wife as if it was
iron his arms were made of. Bedad, in one moment everything was
as silent as the grave, and the poor woman lying in a faint in
the arms of her husband and her good neighbour. Well, all in good
time she was minding her family and her business again; and I'll
go bail, after the fright she got, she spent more time on her
knees, and avoided fairy men all the days of the week, and
particularly on Sunday.

It is hard to have anything to do with the good people without
getting a mark from them. My brave nurse didn't escape no more
than another. She was one Thursday at the market of Enniscorthy,
when what did she see walking among the tubs of butter but the
Dark Man, very hungry-looking, and taking a scoop out of one tub
and out of another. 'Oh, sir,' says she, very foolish, 'I hope
your lady is well, and the baby.' 'Pretty well, thank you,' says
he, rather frightened like. 'How do I look in this new suit?'
says he, getting to one side of her. 'I can't see you plain at