“That’s nothing but the truth, any how,” replied Biddy, sighing for fear, you may be sure, that she herself might lose him; and indeed a young woman might sigh from many a worse reason. “But,” said she, changing the subject, “you appear to be tired, honest woman, an’ I think you had better eat a bit, an’ take a good drink of _buinnhe ramwher_ (thick milk) to help you on your journey.” “Thank you kindly, a colleen,” said the woman; “I’ll take a bit, if you plase, hopin’ at the same time that you won’t be the poorer of it this day twelve months.” “Sure,” said the girl, “you know that what we give from kindness, ever and always leaves a blessing behind it.” “Yes, acushla, when it _is_ given from kindness.” She accordingly helped herself to the food that Biddy placed before her, and appeared after eating to be very much refreshed. “Now,” said she, rising up, “you’re a very good girl, an’ if you are able to find out my name before Tuesday morning, the kemp-day, I tell you that you’ll win it, and gain the husband.” “Why,” said Biddy, “I never saw you before. I don’t know who you are, nor where you live; how then can I ever find out your name?” “You never saw me before, sure enough,” said the old woman, “an’ I tell you that you will never see me again but once; an’ yet if you have not my name for me at the close of the kemp, you’ll lose all, an’ that will leave you a sore heart, for well I know you love Shaun Buie.” So saying, she went away, and left poor Biddy quite cast down at what she had said, for, to tell the truth, she loved Shaun very much, and had no hopes of being able to find out the name of the little woman, on which it appeared so much to her depended. It was very near the same hour of the same day that Sally Gorman was sitting alone in her father’s house, thinking of the kemp, when who should walk into her but our friend the little red woman? “God save you, honest woman.” said Sally; “this is a fine day that’s in it, the Lord be praised!” “It is,” said the woman, “as fine a day as one could wish for; indeed it is.” “Have you no news on your travels?” asked Sally. “The only news in the neighbourhood,” replied the other, “is this great kemp that’s to take place at Shaun Buie M’Gaveran’s. They say you’re either to win him or lose him then,” she added, looking closely at Sally as she spoke. “I’m not very much afraid of that,” said Sally with confidence; “but even if I do lose him, I may get as good.” “It’s not easy gettin’ as good,” rejoined the old woman, “an’ you ought to be very glad to win him if you can.” “Let me alone for that,” said Sally. “Biddy’s a good girl, I allow; but as for spinnin’, she never saw the day she could leave me behind her. Won’t you sit an’ rest you?” she added; “you’re maybe tired.”