I lave this farm of Carriglass to
you, while you live, wid all that's on it and in it;--that is, that I
have any right to lave you--I lave it to you wid my blessin', and may
God grant you long life and health to enjoy it. Ahadarra isn't mine to
give, but, Bryan, it's your's; an' as I said to your father, God grant
you health and long life to enjoy it, as he will to both o' you."
"Oh! little you know, grandfather dear," replied Shibby, "that we've
done wid both of them for ever."
"Shibby, God bless you, achora," he returned; "but the ould man's lips
can spake nothing now but the truth; an' my blessin' an' my wish, comin'
from the Almighty as they do, won't pass away like common words." He
then paused for a few minutes, but appeared to take a comprehensive view
of the surrounding country.
"But, grandfather," proceeded simple-hearted Shibby, "sure the match
between Bryan and Kathleen Cavanagh is broken up, an' they're not to be
married at all."
"Don't I say, darlin', that they will be married, an' be happy--ay,
an' may God make them happy! as He will, blessed be His holy name! God,
acushla, can bring about everything in His own good way."
After another pause of some minutes he murmured to himself--"Peggy Na
Laveen--Peggy Na Laveen--how far that name has gone! Turn me round a
little. What brought us here, childre'? Oh! ay--I wanted to see the ould
places--there's Claghleim, where the walls of the house she was born
in, and the green garden, is both to the fore; yet I hope they won't be
disturbed, if it was only for the sake of them that's gone; an' there's
the rock on the top of Lisbane,where, in the summer evening, long, long
ago, I used to sit an' listen to Peggy Na Laveen singin' over our holy
songs--the darlin' ould songs of the counthry.
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