"Will you wait here by the fire till I come back?" he said, and went out of the room.
Honeybird-sat down again. Her heart was heavy. She had pictured to herself how she would go home with the stocking full of gold, and how glad the others would be when they saw the money, and knew that Tom Kelly could be cured. But now she must go back empty-handed. Mr M'Keown was gone such a long time that she grew tired of waiting, and got up to go home. But before she reached the door it opened, and he came in. He had something in his hand.
"Come here," he said, and, to her astonishment, he laid on the table a handful of glittering gold pieces.
"That is ten pounds," he said.
Honeybird looked bewildered.
"It is for you if you will accept it," he said.
She answered by throwing her arms round his legs and hugging them tight. Mr M'Keown took her hand, and went back to his chair.
"An' what made ye say ye had none, ye ould ruffan?" she said, hugging him round the neck this time, till he had to beg to be allowed to breathe.
"I think you must ask Doctor Dixey to call here for it," he said.
Honeybird's face fell. "Auch, sure I can take it home myself," she said.