Be this as it may, she was
a rare specimen of rustic beauty and buoyancy of spirit.
"O, Barney," said she, "that's the pleasantest news I heard this month
o' Sundays--sich dancin' as we'll have! and maybe I won't foot it, and
me got my new shoes and drugget gown last week;" and here she lilted a
gay Irish air, to which she set a-dancing with a lightness of foot
and vivacity of manner that threw her whole countenance into a most
exquisite glow of mirthful beauty.
"Granua," said her mother, reprovingly, "think of yourself and what
you are about; if you worn't a light-hearted, and, I'm afeard, a
light-headed, girl, too, you wouldn't go on as you do, especially when
you know what you know, and what Barney here, too, knows."
"Ah," said Barney, his whole manner immediately changing, "have you
heard from him, poor fellow?"
"Torley's gone to the mountains," she replied, "and--but here he is.
Well, Torley, what news, asthore?"
Her husband having passed a friendly greeting to Barney, sat down, and
having taken off his hat, lifted the skirt of his cothamore (big coat)
and wiped the perspiration off his large and manly forehead, on which,
however, were the traces of deep care.
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