It's said he doesn't believe there's a God.

I heard Father Sean Eamonn saying it's the way he did some terrible sin at the start of his life, and when the priest wouldn't give him absolution in confession there came a raging anger on him, and he swore an oath he wouldn't touch priest or chapel for ever again.

That's not how I heard it. One night when I was in bed the old people were talking and whispering by the fireside, and I heard Maire of the Bridge saying to the other old women that it's the way Matthias sold his soul to some Great Man he met once on the top of Cnoc-a'-Daimh, and that this Man wouldn't allow him to go to Mass.

Do you think was it the devil he saw?

I don't know. A Great Man, said Maire of the Bridge.

I wouldn't believe a word of it. Sure, if Matthias sold his soul to the devil it must be he's a wicked person.

He's not a wicked person, maise. Don't you mind the day Iosagan said that his father told him Matthias would be among the saints on the Day of the Mountain?

I mind it well.

Where's Iosagan from us to-day?

He never comes when there does be a grown person watching us.

Wasn't he here a week ago to-day when old Matthias was watching us?

Was he?

He was.

Aye, and a fortnight to-day, as well.

There's a chance he'll come to-day, then.

O, see, he's coming.

God save you, Iosagan!

God and Mary save you!

Coilin!

What do you want?

Come here to me. (Coilin rises and goes to him.) Who is that boy I see among you this fortnight back—he, yonder, with the brown head on him—but take care it's not red he is; I don't know is it black or is it fair he is, the way the sun is burning on him? Do you see him—him that has his arm about Daragh's neck?

That's Iosagan.

Iosagan?

That's the name he gives himself.

Who are his people?

I don't know, but he says his father's a king.

Where does he live?

He never told us that, but he says his house isn't far away.

Does he be among you often?

He does, when we do be amusing ourselves like this. But he goes from us when grown people come near. He will go from us now as soon as the people begin coming from Mass.

O! They are going jumping.

Iosagan!(The Child turns back and comes towards him at a run.) Come here and sit on my knee for a little while, Iosagan. (The Child links his hand in the old man's hand, and they cross the road together. Matthias sits on his chair and draws Iosagan to him.) Where do you live, Iosagan?

Not far from this my house is. Why don't you come to see me?

I would be afraid in a royal house. They tell me that your father's a king.

He is High-King of the World. But there's no call for you to be afraid of Him. He's full of pity and love.

I fear I didn't keep His law.

Ask forgiveness of Him. I and my Mother will make intercession for you.

It's a pity I didn't see You before this, Iosagan. Where were You from me?

I was here always. I do be travelling the roads and walking the hills and ploughing the waves. I do be among the people when they gather into My house. I do be among the children they do leave behind them playing on the street.

I was too shy, or too proud, to go into Your house, Iosagan: among the children, it was, I found You.

There isn't any place or time the children do be making fun to themselves that I'm not with them. Times they see Me; other times they don't see Me.

I never saw You till lately.

All the grown people do be blind.

And it has been granted me to see You, Iosagan.

My Father gave Me leave to show Myself to you because you loved His little children. (The voices are heard of the people returning from Mass.) I must go now from you.

Let me kiss the hem of Your coat.