“It is a sign,” said he, “the voice of Demeter speaking from the earth,” and he also bowed deeply to the mother of the world.
Again Angus Óg lifted his hand, and in it there appeared a spear, bright and very terrible.
But Pan only said, “Can a spear divine the Eternal Will?” and Angus Óg put his weapon aside, and he said: “The girl will choose between us, for the Divine Mood shines in the heart of man.”
Then Caitilin Ni Murrachu came forward and sat between the gods, but Pan stretched out his hand and drew her to him, so that she sat resting against his shoulder and his arm was about her body.
“We will speak the truth to this girl,” said Angus Óg.
“Can the gods speak otherwise?” said Pan, and he laughed with delight.
“It is the difference between us,” replied Angus Óg. “She will judge.”
“Shepherd Girl,” said Pan, pressing her with his arm, “you will judge between us. Do you know what is the greatest thing in the world?—because it is of that you will have to judge.”
“I have heard,” the girl replied, “two things called the greatest things. You,” she continued to Pan, “said it was Hunger, and long ago my father said that Commonsense was the greatest thing in the world.”
“I have not told you,” said Angus Óg, “what I consider is the greatest thing in the world.”