And Shawn had reached for his crutches, there being but one leg to him, and had come.
“Faith,” said Teig, trying another laugh, “Shawn can fast for the once; ’twill be all the same in a month’s time.” And he fell to thinking of the gold again.
A knock came to the door. Teig pulled himself down in his chair where the shadow would cover him, and held his tongue.
“Teig, Teig!” It was the Widow O’Donnelly’s voice. “If ye are there, open your door. I have not got the pay for the spriggin’ this month, an’ the childther are needin’ food.”
But Teig put the leash on his tongue, and never stirred till he heard the tramp of her feet going on to the next cabin. Then he saw to it that the door was tight barred. Another knock came, and it was a stranger’s voice this time:
“The other cabins are filled; not one but has its hearth crowded. Will ye take us in, the two of us? The wind bites mortal sharp; not a morsel o’ food have we tasted this day. Masther, will ye take us in?”
But Teig sat on, a-holding his tongue; and the tramp of the strangers’ feet passed down the road. Others took their place—small feet, running. It was the miller’s wee Cassie, and she called out as she went by:
“Old Shawn’s watchin’ for ye. Ye’ll not be forgettin’ him, will ye, Teig?”
And then the child broke into a song, sweet and clear, as she passed down the road:
“Listen all ye, ’tis the Feast o’ St. Stephen,