“What should ail me?” replied Biddy. “I never had a care nor a worry nor a trouble yet; the day is long, and my heart is light. I am at peace, and I never had an ache in my body yet. But what is up with you, Nora alannah?”
“It's that mortgage, you know,” said Nora, dropping her voice. “What is your father going to do?”
“Oh, the mortgage,” said Bridget. “Mr. Morgan came down from Dublin yesterday; he and father had a long talk. I don't know. I believe there's worry in the air, and when there is I always steer clear of it.”
“Your father, you mean?”
“I can't tell you; don't question me. I am glad you have come. Can't you stay for the night?”
“No, I can't. I must go back with father and mother. The fact is this, Bridget, I believe your father would do anything in the world for you.”
“I suppose he would. What do you want to coax out of me now? Oh, Nora alannah! don't let us talk of worries. Come down to the sea with me—won't you? I have found the most lovely cave. I mean to explore it with lanterns. You go into the cave, and you can walk in nearly half a mile; and then it takes a sudden turn to the right, and they say there's an entrance into another cave, and just beyond that there's a ghost supposed to be. Some people say it is the home of the O'Shanaghgans' Banshee; but whatever it is, I mean to see all about it.”
“Do you mean the Sea-Nymphs' Cave?” said Nora. “But you can only get to that by crossing the bay.”
“Yes. Well, I am going tomorrow night; the moon is at the full. You will come over and go with me—won't you?”
“Oh! I wish I could.”