It seemed a longer walk than usual, because they were so anxious to get there and join in the sport.
"Hear the piper, hear the piper!" shouted Katie, as they at last drew near the farmhouse. And her little bare feet began to dance along the path.
A minute more, and the house door opened wide, and the visitors were made welcome.
The kitchen was not large, and it was already well filled. The big bed had been moved over into a corner to make room for dancing. The older people, who did not dance, sat on the edge of the bed, while the children nestled together on the floor against the wall.
The turf fire was glowing in the big fireplace, and giving a pleasant welcome to all. On the rafters overhead, some hens were fast asleep, not seeming to mind the music and laughter in the least.
The piper was playing his jolliest tunes, and two young people were dancing a jig when Norah arrived.
"Good! good!" cried the rest of the company, as the young girl went around and around the young man, her partner, never once losing the step. Her heavy shoes made a great clatter as they came down on the paved floor.
Her face grew redder and redder. Her breath came harder and harder, but she would not give up dancing till the piper himself left off playing.
"Let us bob for apples now," said the host. "We will give these young folks a chance to get their breath."
A big tub of water was brought in, and some apples were set floating in it. Who would duck for the apples? Every one who had a chance. It did not matter how old or how young they might be.