She stopped at that, because, like many another that might be wishing to give directions, she didn’t know very well herself what ought to be done. She used to listen to Marg and Mickey, without appearing to mind them, and then, whatever they said, she would repeat it to the Comrade Children, when no one would be by that would maybe laugh at her. There’s nothing a child hates more than to be made fun of. But she managed so that there wasn’t a hand’s turn done about the Furry Farm but she would have the same going on, with herself and Pat and Judy.
Moll often said afterwards, that it gave her a turn as if she was listening to something not right, to hear the little voice talking away, and then answering itself back, “So we will, Brigeen, do all you say! But when are you coming out here to play with us? Tired we are, waiting on you....”
Before there was time to make any reply to that, Brigid ran back to Moll, and said, “Here’s himself, coming back!”
On the minute, Moll began to stir herself. She never had any great hopes out of Mickey, in the way of what he might give her. She knew how hard he always got it, to part money; and so, as soon as she had it all explained to him, about Marg being away, and had got the penny that Mickey handed to her when he was down off the car, she said, “Now that you’re here, Mr. Heffernan, I may’s well be making the road short. The child will be right enough with you about the place ... and Dan too....”
Mickey didn’t say against her; he had no great wish for having Moll in the kitchen.
So she went off, and Heffernan stumped into the house, and planked himself down in his chair by the fire. He gave a look round, and there he saw Brigid, sitting on her creepy, looking as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, she was so meek.
“Well, Missie!” said Heffernan; for there’s the name he had for the child.
She said nothing, but he took no notice, and not long after, he fell asleep. He was old, and tired after the long day he had had, driving.
Bride watched him for a while. Then, when she had made sure that he was sound asleep, she rose up off her stool, and crept over very softly to the half-door again.
She had no delay in opening it, because Mickey had not fastened it as Marg always did, in a way the child did not understand yet. Brigid peeped out. There was no one in sight. Dan was gone off, after unyoking the old mare, to drive in the cows to be milked. There wasn’t a picture of a man about the yard.