"Can't you ever lock them up?"
Winifred burst out laughing.
"Lock them up!" she said. "Why should I do that?"
"To save them from being stolen."
"As if anything was ever stolen here! I can assure you there isn't a robber in the whole countryside."
"Why, that is as wonderful as your treasures!" I exclaimed, as we went in to where Granny Meehan sat, as usual, placidly by the fire, a great cat purring and rubbing its furry sides against her gown. The animal fixed on me that glance of grave scrutiny with which these feline creatures appear to read one's whole history, past, present and to come; after which she arched her back and lay down near the hearth.
Winifred walked down with me a piece of the way, after I had said farewell to Granny Meehan, who had heard my glowing praises of the castle with flushed cheeks, down which stole a tear or two of pride. When we were parting, Winifred remarked wistfully:
"I think, perhaps, Niall and I are different from any other people. But it's no use trying to change us: we shall always be the same."