talking together along the way.

Dennis and the Twins walked together, and Larry and Eileen told Dennis
all about the Fair, and about selling the pig to the Lady Kathleen, and
"Begorra," said Dennis, "but that little pig was after bringing you all
the luck in the world, wasn't she?" All the other boys and girls wanted
to hear about it. Most of them had never been to a Fair. So Eileen and
Larry talked all the way to church, and that was two miles and a half of
talk, the shortest way you could go.

Just as they neared the church, what should they see but Grannie Malone,
coming in grandeur, riding on a jaunting-car! Beside her was a big man
with a tall hat on his head.

"'Tis her son Michael, back from the States!" cried the Twins. "He said
in a letter he was coming."

They ran as fast as they could to reach the church door in time to see
them go in. Everybody else stopped, too, they were so surprised, and
everybody said to everybody else, "Well, for dear's sake, if that's not
Michael Malone come back to see his old Mother!"

And then they whispered among themselves, "Look at the grand clothes on
him, and the scarf pin the bigness of a ha'penny piece, and the hat!
Sure, America must be the rich place entirely."

And when Michael got out of the cart and helped out his old Mother,
there were many hands held out for him to shake, and many old neighbours
for him to greet.

"This is a proud day for you, Grannie Malone," said Mrs McQueen.

"It is," said Grannie, "and a sad day, too, for he's after taking me
back to America, and 'tis likely I'll never set my two eyes on old
Ireland again, when once the width of the sea comes between us."

She wiped her eyes as she spoke. Then the bell rang to call the people
into the chapel. It was little the congregation heard of the service
that day, for however much they tried they couldn't help looking at the
back of Michael's head and at Grannie's bonnet.

And afterward, when all the people were outside the church door, Grannie
Malone said to different old friends of Michael, "Come along to my house
this afternoon, and listen to Himself telling about the States!"

That afternoon when the McQueens had finished their noon meal, the whole
family walked up the road to Grannie's house. There were a good many
people there before them. Grannie's little house was full to the door.
Michael stood by the fireplace, and as the McQueens came in he was
saying, "It's the truth I'm tel