Well. That was simple and direct. Said AnnieYeah. Jack felt dazedAugusta looked at Jack and Annie,I saw them, she said, her eyes are wide. I finally saw the Shea. Ireally saw them.
She burst out a laughing. Her laughter was so full of joy, then Jackand Annie started laughing, too.
I saw them, I saw them !
Augusta kept repeating, I saw the Shea, Iknow I have importantthings to do.
Yes, you do. Said Annie.
I must learn old language. And I must start gathering old stories atonce. That was queen told me. Said Augusta. I can't wait to visit oldstorytellers like Mary Sheridan and Betty Earlier too.
I will start withMary. Let’s go and see her right now. hurry! Will you come with me/hurry!
Sure. Said Annie, but just a second.
She turned to Jack, what about Willy/Who’s Willy? Asked Augusta.
A friend of us. Said Jack looking around. He said he wait for us. Butwhere he’s going to wait?
Willy?
Willy? Called Annie.
I guess he is still on the other side of the river. Said Jack.
That’s too bad. Said Annie.
Yeah. Said Jack.
Come, let’s go and see Mary now. said Augusta.
Grabbing Annie’s hand andpulling her along,Jack looked around for Willy one last time, he was sad about notseeing the Leprechaun again. But it was a little relief too. He knewhe couldn’t keep their part of the deal. Teaching Willy how to playthe magic whistle.
Come on! Jack! Cried Augusta.
Jack followed the two girls through the meadow, over the stonewalls and down the dirty lane, and cross the muddy field to MarySheridan’s cottage.
Mary! Mary! Augusta called.
She dashed ahead Jack and Annie. she didn’t even stop to knock.
She threw open the door to the cottage.
Ah! Oh! She said freezing in tracks,Jack and Annie caught up with Augusta, and looked inside. Marywas sitting in front of her fire, next to her, wasa small man wearinga green Jacket and three corner red cap with a white feather.
Willy! Cried Annie.
Annie and Jack hurried past Augusta into the cottage.
You are here. Said Jack.
Of course, I said I will wait for you. Said the Leprechaun.
I see youfound your dear friend and brought her home. Good work!
Augusta still in the doorway, gazing at Willy.
Who are you? She asked.
My name’s Willy. Just call me Willy. Said the Leprechaun.
As usual I will leave before you visit Mary. But now you’ve seen theShea, an I suppose not to hiding from you anymore.
Ah.. are you real? Asked Augusta.
Who knows. Said the Leprechaun. Maybe I am real and you are not.
Depends on which one of us ask the question.
Everyone laughed.
Good point. Said Annie.
But we’d better be getting home . said Jack.
He wanted to leave before Willy asked him or Annie about hiswhistle lesson.
Jack took Annie’s hand, and started backing toward the door,Thanks for helping us, Willy he said.
Yeah. And thanks Mary, for everything. Said Annie. waving ,goodbye. Augusta!
Goodbye everyone!
Wait just a minute! My friends! Said Willy.
Ah-oh! Thought Jack.
Have you forgotten our deal? Said Willy. My fingers are itch tomake beautiful music for Mary.
Well, you see..there is a problem with that. Said Jack squirmingA frown across Willy’s face.
A problem? He said, how could there be a problem? Fairy friend,teach Willy to play whistle.
Doesn’t catch any simpler than that?
Right . said Jack.
Well, what’s the problem? Asked Willy.
Well the whistle, Jack didn’t know how to finish.
I will answer that question. Said Annie. Willy, I am going to besimple and direct and honest with you.
Yes? Said Leprechaun.
Merlin the magician gave us the whistle to help our mission, saidAnnie, thewhistle is magic, and magic only works once, without themagic, I don’t really know how to play. So I can't teach you. Thereyou have it.
Ah...said Willy.
He looked at floor, and shook his head.
And I am afraid I am going to hop to turn you both into cheapmocks,What? Said Jack.
Willy burst out a laughing.
Joke, only joking. He said.
Merlin, you should have told me that you were friends with Merlin inthe first place.
Do you know Merlin? Asked Jack.
Oh, yes. We spent a great deal of time together. Must be about 800years ago now. said Willy.
How is he?
He’s happy. Said Annie.
Willy turned back to Mary and Augusta. I first met the mastermagician on the island Merlin, in the Irish sea.
Wait, wait! Please Willy, said Augusta.
Mary, do you have penand paper/No, my dear, I am afraid I don’t. said Mary.
I can help said Jack.
He took his pencil and small notebook from his pocket, he toresome pages out of the notebook and then gave the pages andpencil to Augusta.
Here. He said.
Oh, thank you, Jack! Said Augusta.
She turned back to Willy, continue please...
Well, said Willy, Merlin was a few centuries old then and I was nearthat,As Willy told his story, Augusta began to write, Jack put hisnotebook back to his pocket and nodded to Annie, she noddedback and two of them started toward the door.
Just as they were about to leave, Annie called out to the others,Bye!
We have to go home now. said Jack.
Trip lightly! Said Willy.
Thank you for everything! Said Augusta.
One and twenty farewells. Said Mary.
Same to you, guys. Said Jack.
Then he and Annie slipped out the cottage, the rain was pouringagain, and wind was blowing hard,I think we’ve inspired Augusta. Said Annie.
Yeap. We’ve accomplished our mission, saidJack.
Now let’s get out of here.
He couldn’t wait to go home to get warm and dry.
Jack and Annie ran against wind, they climbed over the stone wall,then hurried down the lane, slipping and sliding in the mock, theyran across the soaked field, by thetime they arrived the rope ladder,their clothes were kicked with mud.
Jack and Annie climbed into the tree house, Annie foundPennsylvania book in the corner, as wind blew through the window,she pointed to a picture of frog creek woods.
I wish we couldgo there. She said.
The wind blew harder, The tree house started to spin. It span fasterand faster. Then everything was still. Absolutely still. |