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But now, when they had passed the end of the hut, shuffling along with their burden, she heard a sound which stirred her. She roused herself quickly from her leaning posture, and stretched forth her head as though to listen; then she moved to follow them. Yes, they had stopped at the bottom of the path, and had again laid the body on the rocks. She heard that sound again, as of a long, long sigh, and then, regardless of any of them, she ran to the wounded mans head. He is not dead, she said. There; he is not dead. As she spoke Bartys eyes opened, and he looked about him. Barty, my boy, speak to me, said the mother. Barty turned his face upon his mother, smiled, and then stared about him wildly. How is it with thee, lad? said his father. Then Barty turned his face again to the latter voice, and as he did so his eyes fell upon Mally. Mally! he said, Mally! It could have wanted nothing further to any of those present to teach them that, according to Bartys own view of the case, Mally had not been his enemy; and, in truth, Mally herself wanted no further triumph. That word had vindicated her, and she withdrew back to the hut. Dada, she said, Barty is not dead, and Im thinking they wont say anything more about our hurting him. Old Glos shook his head. He was glad the lad hadnt met his death there; he didnt want the young mans blood, but he knew what folk would say. The poorer he was the more sure the world would be to trample on him. Mally said what she could to comfort him, being full of comfort herself. She would have crept up to the farm if she dared, to ask how Barty was. But her courage failed her when she thought of that, so she went to work again, dragging back the weed she had saved to the spot at which on the morrow she would load the donkey. As she did this she saw Bartys pony still standing patiently under the rock, so she got a lock of fodder and threw it down before the beast. It had become dark down in the cove, but she was still dragging back the seaweed when she saw the glimmer of a lantern coming down the pathway. It was a most unusual sight, for lanterns were not common down in Malachis Cove. Down came the lantern rather slowly much more slowly than she was in the habit of descending; and then through the gloom she saw the figure of a man standing at the bottom of the path. She went up to him, and saw that it was Mr Gunliffe, the father. Is that Mally? said Gunliffe. Yes, it is Mally; and how is Barty, Mr Gunliffe? You must come to un yourself, now at once, said the farmer. He wont sleep a wink till hes seed you. You must not say but youll come. Sure Ill come if Im wanted, said Mally. Gunliffe waited a moment, thinking that Mally might have to prepare herself, but Mally needed no preparation. She was dripping with salt water from the weed which she had been dragging, and her elfin locks were streaming wildly from her head; but, such as she was, she was ready. Dadas in bed, she said, and I can go now, if you please. |
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