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`Get up there.` He allowed the horse to walk the rest of the journey, and in the farmyard he handed it over to Alex Towney, who asked him, `Had a good morning, Mr Daniel?Ànd he answered, `Not up to usual, Alex. I didn't expect to really, for there wasn't much to go in, was there?Ànd he looked hard at Alex who, looking back at him, said, `No, you're right there. You're right there.Às Daniel entered the kitchen, Maggie Ann came shambling out of the larder, and he remarked to himself that it must be his imagination that her body seemed to be getting larger every day. Her feet and ankles looked almost as big as his own thighs. And as she dropped a tin tray of cooking ingredients on to the table, she nodded towards the mat to where Michael was sitting and smiling towards Daniel, and she said, `He got on to his pins and walked three steps. You did, didn't you, boy?`

She leant across the table and the small boy grinned up at her.

`Did he now? Well! Well! That is something.`

Daniel hoisted the boy up and after he had planted him steady on his feet, he moved back from him, saying, `Come on! then;ànd watched as, stumbling, the child made an erratic run towards him, then lay against him laughing and saying, 229 `Dan ... el, Dan ... el.`

The child was backward both in his speech and in his walking, but he was a loving, happy-natured boy.

And now Daniel held him shoulder high, crying as he did so, `Clever fellow! Clever fellow!`

When he returned him to the floor, the boy immediately sat down. And now Maggie Ann said, `Good news all round this morning,ànd jerked her head upwards: `She's had a letter.Ànd her voice now dropping to a hoarse whisper, she enlightened him: Ìt was from France.`

`From France, eh? Her daughter?`

Àye, her daughter.`

He hurried now from the room, calling, Ì could do with a bite, Maggie Ann. Perhaps a drop of broth before I get changed.`

Ìt'll be on the table when you come back.`

He ran up the stairs and along the corridor and into the sewing-room.

Moira was busily stitching at a small dress but she immediately laid it aside, saying, `Hello! Daniel. How did it go; a good morning?`

`Not bad for the little I took in. But what's this I hear? You've had a letter from France?`

`Yes, indeed; indeed I've had a letter from France.` She nodded at him, her face abeam now. Ànd not only a letter, but look! take a look for yourself.` She now put her hand down her bodice and took out a long thin envelope, and as he opened it there fell out a piece of paper which he was quick to retrieve from the floor. And when he looked at it and read out, `Fifty pounds! A cheque for ...!` Moira interrupted him, saying, `Read the letter. Read the letter.Ànd so he read: My dear Mother,

I had hoped to be in England this month, but my mama is coming to spend some time with us, as the weather is more clement here ... at least for some part of the day. But my husband must be in England at the end of February and remain there for March. So I would like to call on you again, and my husband has expressed a wish to meet you too. I know you will be pleased to learn that I am very happy, so very happy. I hope this short letter will find you in good health. I send you my love and deep respect. 231

Your daughter,

Melissa.

Slowly he folded up the letter and, putting the cheque inside it, he replaced it in the envelope and handed it back to her. As she took it from him her eyes were moist and her lips trembling, and when he said softly, `You've got a wonderful daughter, Moira,` she was unable to answer him for a moment.

Then, picking up the end of her white apron she rubbed it round her face, saying, Ì look upon it as a kind of miracle, you know, Daniel, a kind of miracle. And ... and to send me more money; fifty pounds!

What am I going to do with it?`

`You're going to put it where the other is, that's what you're going to do with it.`

Òh, I could buy so much for the house and for Christmas.`

Ànd have Father ask where you got it from?`

When she nodded he went on, `Take my advice, Moira, put it into the bank. It'll come in for the children sometime, if not for yourself.`

Her hands now moved over her apron as if

smoothing the creases out of it and she said, `But they all need warmer clothes, Daniel. And Maggie Ann hasn't had a new rag to her back for years.`

`Well,` he said, bending down towards her, `just imagine what the result would be if he saw them all running round in new coats and Maggie Ann sporting a new shawl or some such. As for the children not being warmly clad, they are clad all right. They've got decent things for school, your fingers have seen to that. And what do they need while running round here like wild Indians? Do you ever see them unless they are up to the eyes in mud, except in weather like this? But then the backsides of the lads' pants are worn through with sliding down the banks.`

She smiled now, saying, Ì know you're right. Yes, I know you're right, Daniel, but it goes against the grain to stick money in that bank when I could be spending it.` She laughed.

Òh, you'll spend it one of these days, never you fear.`

Ì'll be happier if you would take it and spend it. You know what I mean?`

`We won't go into that again. But just think: you've

got something to look forward to now; 233 February, she said, and she'll bring her husband. She's all you, Moira, inside. No matter who has brought her up and made her into this fine lady, she's still all you.`

Òh! Daniel. God forbid, all me!`

`God wouldn't forbid. Anyway, I'm going to get changed and have a bite now; and afterwards you'll know where to find me if you want me.Ìn the kitchen, a pan of broth was bubbling on the hob, and the table was set for him, but Maggie Ann wasn't there. The four-year-old Catherine was sitting on the mat. She looked up at him and when he asked, `Where's Maggie Ann?` she answered, `She's gone over to the slide. Annie fell over an' hurt her foot an' she's yellin' blue murder, an' she wouldn't get up for Margaret or Sean. She's always yellin' blue murder, Annie, isn't she?`

It was as he went out of the kitchen door that he heard the terrible scream. It seemed to lift him from the ground and to carry him towards the curve of the drive where the gutter was frozen over and which the children used as a slide.

The first sight that met his eye was his father seated

on Rustler, with the horse prancing almost in a circle; and, lying to the side of the road, a contorted heap that was Maggie Ann, surrounded by the screaming children.

As Daniel reached the group his father dismounted and yelled at him, `She came straight under his hooves.` Then he bawled at the children, `Shut up! Shut up! will you?`

But they didn't obey him. Annie was standing hopping on one foot now while clinging to Margaret and they were both screaming; Patrick too was yelling; only Sean was quiet, and he was kneeling by Maggie Ann's head. From the mound of flesh there was no movement at all.

Daniel, too, was now on his knees. He had pushed the boy aside and his hands were cradling Maggie Ann's face as he cried, `Maggie Ann! Maggie Ann!`

When there was no response he put a hand on her chest; then tore at the tasselled loop of the shawl that had caught around a button. And now thrusting his hand into her blouse, he pressed his fingers on to a garment that covered her soft flesh, and waited, then let out an audible sigh. Looking up at his father, he said, `She's ... she's

breathing. She's breathing ... just; but she 235 must be badly hurt somewhere.`

He now turned to the children, crying, `Stop that noise, Margaret!Ànd looking at his father again he said, `She'll have to be carried in; she can't be left here until she comes round.`

`We'll never be able to carry her.`

No; he was right. He now turned to Patrick, crying, `Run to the farm and tell them to bring a door. Get Alex and Arthur if possible ... Maggie Ann! Maggie Ann! Come on! Come on!` Daniel was now gently patting her puffed cheeks, and when there was no response he cried to Margaret, `Run into the house.

Get your mother, and bring a bed quilt.`

The horse, now standing at the verge of the drive, let out a number of long and frightened neighs, and Daniel raised his head and watched his father go to it, bring it on to the drive, then hand the reins to Sean, saying, `Take him to the stable.` The boy did not move, but just stared at his father, who then yelled at the boy, `You heard me! Take him to the stable, now! now!`

When the boy still did not move, a blow across his ear sent him stumbling almost to the ground, and Daniel cried, `Stop that! Father. I'd have thought you'd done enough damage already.`

`Damage? What the hell d'you mean? I tell you she walked straight in front of the beast.` He now turned and looked to where his small son was again kneeling alongside the twisted form of `the Irish bitchàs he thought of her, and with his teeth audibly grinding he yelled at him, Ì'll deal with you later;` then grabbed the slack rein and dragged the frightened animal to the yard and stables.

Meanwhile, Daniel had pulled the scattered shawl around Maggie Ann and, when she slowly raised her lids and looked up at him, he said softly, `You'll be all right, dear. You'll be all right. You've just had a fall. Can you sit up?`

She said nothing, only remained still. But when Sean put a hand on her cheek in an effort to turn her head towards him, she muttered the word, `Cold`. And at this Daniel immediately stood up, took off his coat and put it around her shoulders, then said, `Can ... can you straighten your leg, dear?`

She did not seem to understand his words for she just

stared at him, and he said, `Your leg's 237 twisted underneath you, Maggie Ann. Can you straighten it?`

Slowly she muttered, Ì ... I can't feel it, Daniel.`

Àre you in pain?`

Her head moved just the slightest in denial. Then Moira was standing over them, her words emerging on an anguished breath: Òh! Maggie Ann. Maggie Ann! What is it?`

Maggie Ann looked at her beloved friend ... her mistress, but made no answer; and Daniel said, `She must have fallen heavily and hit her head. She's likely got concussion. I've sent for a door.`

`What happened?Ìt was Sean who looked up at his mother as if he could give her the answer, and again she said, `What happened?` but the boy did not speak. `Father said she stepped in front of the horse,` Daniel said.

Òh God in heaven! Where is he?`

Ìn the stables.`

She knelt down on the frozen ground by Maggie Ann's side and, raising her head, she said, `My dear, my dear. Are you hurt? Are you paining?`

Maggie Ann looked at her and again she made a very small motion with her head before muttering, `No.

No, Miss Moira ... dear, no pain.`

They all now looked up the drive to where Arthur Beaney and Alex Towney were carrying a door between them, followed by their master.

Ìs she hurt bad?àsked Alex.

`We don't know,` Daniel answered; `but let us get her inside, then we'll see.Ìt took the two farm-hands and Daniel, assisted by Moira, to lift Maggie Ann on to the door. It was noticeable that Hector didn't touch her, although he did take hold of the hook at the back end of the accident door, as they called it, and so helped to carry the woman whom, for years, he had wanted out of his household and whom he considered one of the larger banes of his life, up the drive to the house and into her room.

Once they had laid Maggie Ann on the bed Moira said to Daniel, Ì can manage myself now, if you'll send Margaret to me.Àfter the men had left the room, taking 239 the door with them, Daniel stood by the bed and, looking at Moira, he said, `Margaret's no good. She won't be any use in turning her. Let me help.`

Moira looked at him for a moment, then said, Às you say. As you say. Well now, we've got to get her things off. Can you raise her up for a little until I can pull the blouse out of her skirt?`

Daniel put his arms about Maggie Ann and lifted her up, without her showing any sign of hurt, although she seemed inclined to lay her head against his shoulder.

When the removal of her blouse, petticoat and bodyshirt exposed the fleshy breasts he turned towards the wall and Moira said, `Lay her back and hold the quilt up so I can strip her skirt and underthings off.`

This done, Moira grabbed a clean shift from the top drawer of a chest, and again he had to hold up the swollen body.

When his hands touched the soft flesh he shivered visibly, and Moira, pulling the shift over Maggie Ann's head, pulled it down her back

as far as it would go, then said, `Lay her back now.Ànd as Moira fastened the top button of the shift and pulled it down over Maggie Ann's breasts there swept over Daniel a surge of pity that made him want to drop down by the bedside and to lay his head on the shoulder of this dear creature and cry as a child might.

Ì think we'd better get the doctor.`

`Yes. Yes.` He was glad to turn away. Ì'll go for him myself.`

`Do that. And now you can send Margaret in to me.Às Daniel made for the door Moira moved quickly towards him and whispered, `Let's hope it hasn't been a blow on her head, because if anything was to happen to that woman more than half me life would go with her. She's my stay, always has been. So be quick now. Be quick.`

Not until three hours later did the doctor come. Moira stood at one side of the bed while he made his examination. Then when he had finished he washed his hands in the bowl of water standing on the little wash-hand stand that had at one time been used by the housekeeper of the establishment, this having been her

bedroom. He said nothing as he dried his 241 hands on the towel that Moira had offered him; but back at the bedside he put his hand on Maggie Ann's brow, saying, Ì will send you some medicine; it will ease your headache.` Maggie Ann had smiled slightly, and her voice was faint as she said, `Thank you, Doctor. Thank you, indeed.Ìt was Daniel, who had been standing further back in the room, that he motioned to the door. Then, still without speaking, he led Daniel along the corridor to where, at the end, one door led into the kitchen and the other into the hall. He said, Ì'm lost. Which door?`