What a small bite; The milk is ready now; What a small sip! THE CHILD. Put on my shoes, old mother, For I would like to dance now I have dined. The reeds are dancing by Coolaney lake, And I would like to dance until the reeds And the loud wind, the white wave on the shore, And all the stars have danced themselves to sleep. [BRIDGET _having put on her shoes, she gets off the old man's knees and is about to dance, but suddenly sees the crucifix and shrieks and covers her eyes._ What is that ugly thing on the black cross? FATHER HART. You cannot know how naughty your words are! That is Our Blessed Lord! THE CHILD. Hide it away! BRIDGET BRUIN. I have begun to be afraid again! THE CHILD. Hide it away! MAURTEEN BRUIN. That would be wickedness! BRIDGET BRUIN. That would be sacrilege! THE CHILD The tortured thing! Hide it away. MAURTEEN BRUIN. Her parents are to blame. FATHER HART. That is the image of the Son of God. [_The_ CHILD _puts her arm round his neck lovingly and kisses him. THE CHILD. Hide it away! Hide it away! MAURTEEN BRUIN. No! no! FATHER HART. Because you are so young and little a child I will go take it down. THE CHILD. Hide it away, And cover it out of sight and out of mind. FATHER HART (_takes it down and carries it towards the inner room)._ Since you have come into this barony I will instruct you in our blessed faith: Being a clever child you will soon learn. (_To the others.) We must be tender with all budding things, Our Maker let no thought of Calvary Trouble the morning stars in their first song. [_Puts the crucifix in the inner room._ THE CHILD. O, what a nice, smooth floor to dance upon! The wind is blowing on the waving reeds, The wind is blowing on the heart of man. [_She dances, swaying about like the reeds._ MAIRE (_to_ SHAWN BRUIN). Just now when she came near I thought I heard Other small steps beating upon the floor, And a faint music blowing in the wind-- Invisible pipes giving her feet the time. SHAWN BRUIN. I heard no step but hers. MAIRE BRUIN. Look to the bolt! Because the unholy powers are abroad. MAURTEEN BRUIN (_to the_ CHILD). Come over here, and if you promise me Not to talk wickedly of holy things I'll give you something. THE CHILD. Bring it me, old father! [MAURTEEN BRUIN _goes into the next room._ FATHER HART. I will have queen cakes when you come to me! [MAURTEEN BRUIN _returns and lays a piece of money on the table. The_ CHILD _makes a gesture of refusal._ MAURTEEN BRUIN. It will buy lots of toys; see how it glitters! THE CHILD. Come, tell me, do you love me? MAURTEEN BRUIN. I love you! THE CHILD. Ah! but you love this fireside! FATHER HART. I love you. THE CHILD. But you love Him above. BRIDGET BRUIN. She is blaspheming. THE CHILD (_to_ MAIRE). And do you likewise love me? MAIRE BRUIN. I don't know. THE CHILD.