The Little People all crowded near him, while the Fairy answered:—
“Go and ask Father Horrigan to tell us whether our souls will be saved at the Last Day. And, if you wish us well, Dermod Leary, you will bring the word that he says.”
Away went Dermod to his cabin.
“Please, your reverence,” said he to Father Horrigan, “may I make bold to ask your honour a question?”
“What is it?” said Father Horrigan.
“Why, then,” said Dermod, “will the souls of the Little People be saved at the Last Day?”
“Who bids you ask that question, Leary?” said Father Horrigan, fixing his eyes sternly on Dermod.
“I’ll tell no lies about the matter, nothing in life but the truth,” answered Dermod. “’Twas the Little People themselves who sent me. They are in thousands down on the bank of the river waiting for your word.”
“Go back,” said Father Horrigan, “and tell them that if they want to know they must come here to me themselves, and I’ll answer that and any other question.”
So back Dermod hurried to the river. The Fairies came swarming around him. They pressed close to his feet, with faces upturned as they anxiously waited. And Dermod, brave man that he was, spoke out boldly and gave them the Priest’s message. And when they heard that, the whole multitude of little Fairies uttered shrill cries and groans; and they whisked past Dermod in such numbers that he was quite bewildered. Then in a trice he found himself alone.