No answer came. The girl shook with a new fear. Slowly she drew closer till her breath fell warm against the face of the other. He spoke at last.
“Ay, a dead man.”
“It is a lie.”
“Where would you be that you were not hearing his goodbye? I’m thinking it was loud enough!”
“It is a lie … it is a lie!”
“No, it is no lie. Sheumais is cold enough now. He’s low among the weeds by now. Ay, by now; down there in the lochan.”
“What … you, you devil! Is it for killing your own brother you would be!”
“I killed no one. He died his own way. Maybe the cramp took him. Maybe … maybe a kelpie gripped him. I watched. I saw him beneath the green branches. He was dead before he died, I saw it in the white face o’ him. Then he sank. He’s dead—James is dead. Look here, girl, I’ve always loved you. I swore the oath upon you—you’re mine. Sure, you’re mine now, Katreen! It is loving you I am! It will be a south wind for you from this day, muirnean mochree! See here, I’ll show you how I …”
“Back … back … murderer!”
“Be stopping that foolishness now, Katreen Macarthur! By the Book, I am tired of it! I am loving you, and it’s having you for mine I am! And if you won’t come to me like the dove to its mate, I’ll come to you like the hawk to the dove!”