Brigid was delighted to be invited to visit Fanore again. Cormac had announced the decision, not just to her, but to the women and children who were tending the fire and they set up a great cheer, which pleased the housekeeper immensely. While she, Séanín and Mara were riding home through the mountain pass, she was pondering over various dishes that they could bring and was delighted to hear that the cart was to be brought the following day. Séanín won her approval by suggesting a shoulder of pork and that, she thought, with some roasted onions, carrots and parsnips would make a fine meal for those unfortunate enough to be confined to fish for most of their lives. ‘Put some meat on the bones of those poor children,’ she said, approving of her own plans. Mara had thought the children all looked very well, lean, brown-faced and agile, but she did not contradict Brigid. ‘You ride ahead, Séanín, and tell Eileen to have the bread on the griddle so that it’s ready when we come,’ commanded Brigid and waited until the boy was well ahead of them both before saying to Mara: ‘Finbar doesn’t look well, not well at all.’ ‘I know,’ said Mara with a sigh.
