Part 35 (1/2)
”Shane, you are a very true friend of mine, aren't you?”
”Yes, Granya.”
”If I wanted a very great favor, would you consider it?”
”Not consider, but do it.”
”Yes, but the risk,” she faltered. ”I hardly dare--”
”What risk? What are you talking about, Granya?” A thought struck him.
”Is it money? Don't be silly and talk about risk! Anything I can give you is yours, and welcome!”
”It's not money, Shane. And thank you! It's--it's this--”
”Yes, Granya.”
”It's this, Shane. Would you--would you bring a s.h.i.+p for me from St.
Petersburg to Lough Foyle, very quietly?”
”What kind of a s.h.i.+p?”
”A s.h.i.+p, just a s.h.i.+p, a sailing-s.h.i.+p.”
”What's in the s.h.i.+p?”
She paused. ”Guns, Shane.”
”No, Granya. I won't.”
”Oh, well,” she sat down, ”I shouldn't have asked.”
”Granya,” he walked over and caught her shoulder, ”don't be foolish.”
”I'm not foolish, Shane. If I am, it's done now.” She smiled.... The air crashed out beneath her fingers. Her voice rang:
In came the captain's daughter--the captain of the Yeos-- Saying, ”Brave United Irishmen, we'll ne'er again be foes.
One thousand pounds I'll give to you, and go across the sea; And dress myself in man's attire and fight for liberty!”
”You'll not move one foot from Tusa hErin!”
”O Shane, Tusa hErin's no longer mine, and I've got to go.”
”Because the s.h.i.+p and the guns are mine, Shane,” she smiled quietly; ”my present.”
With a terrific smash of the fist he broke in the top of the piano. The wires jangled in pandemonium. The candles fell to the floor.
”h.e.l.l's fire and G.o.d's d.a.m.nation!” He swore at her. ”You fool!”
She rose, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s heaving. Her eyes flashed.