@@@@@The clearing in the center of the grove held
@@@@@The clearing in the center of the grove held a small mud
hut thatched with reedsA thin plume of gray smoke curled upward
from
its chimney"Come in," said the woman
"She's
a fine child," said the wise womanShe had examined every aspect of
Cat's body, down to the nails on her smallest toes"What have you
named her?"
"Katie Colum O'Hara It was only the second time Scarlett had
spoken
Once inside the door, she'd begun thanking the wise woman for what
she'd done, but the woman had stopped her"Let me have the babe,"
she'd said, hands outstretchedScarlett had passed Cat over at once,
then kept silent during the detailed examination"'Katie Colum,'" the
woman repeated 'Tis a weak soft sound for this strong childHer rough voice made the Gaelic
name
sound like a challengeScarlett shifted on her stoolShe didn't
know how she should replyThe woman wrapped Cat in her napkin
and
blanketsThen she lifted her and whispered so quietly in her little
ear that Scarlett couldn't hear, even though she strained for the
wordsCat's fingers caught hold of Grainne's hairThe wise woman
held Cat against her shoulder"You would not have understood even
if
you had heard, O'HaraI spoke in the old IrishYou have heard that I know magic as well as herbs
Scarlett admitted she hadI have some knowledge of
the old words and the old ways, but I do not say they are magicI
look and I listen and I lea