When Eamon and Tadhg emerged from the pub, they were both in high spirits. They found their way back to their market space and waited by their wares for more potential customers.

Eamon began counting his money, wishing Tadhg hadn't brought so many baskets. Tadhg was counting the money in his hat, murmuring under his breath. When he was finished, Tadhg handed Eamon a handful of coins. "That's half."

"Not bad. They must have liked my voice." Eamon let a satisfied smile spread over his face.

"They'd have to be daft or deaf not to," Tadhg complimented. "You know, if Orla had heard you sing, you might have been able to get the full nine pence for that shawl."

Eamon grunted. "I'm wondering if she lives here."

Tadhg grinned and said in a sing-song tone, "Eamon's in love!"

"You're just giving me a hard time because you're jealous."

"Jealous? How could I be jealous when I've already got a girl who lives less than a mile from me? One I can actually talk to and see?" Tadgh was unperturbed.

Eamon raised an eyebrow. "I noticed that didn't keep you from looking at the other girls today."

Tadgh shrugged unashamedly. "They were fine girls! But they can't compare to my Aisling."

"You keep calling her yours," Eamon said, peering at Tadhg. "Why?"

Tadhg's manner grew smug. "Because..." He paused dramatically and Eamon made an impatient gesture. "Because I plan to ask for her hand when we return."

Eamon's eyebrows shot up. "Saint Brigid! You...married?" He sputtered. "You sly dog! You've never even given the slightest hint-"

"Not to you, maybe," Tadhg muttered, cheeks reddening. "I've been clear enough with Aisling."

Eamon was laughing now. "You say I'm good with women when you're the one who's getting married!"

"You're good with women," Tadhg consoled, face still red. "Just...in a more...temporary way."

Eamon chuckled. "That doesn't mean I won't get married someday. It just won't be today."

He and Tadhg sold several more baskets and shawls over the rest of the afternoon. Business was brisk enough that Eamon didn't have to sing again. For that, he was thankful.

When the sun started to set, Tadhg nudged Eamon. "Time to count the money," he said with a grin.

Eamon dug his coins from his pocket and began counting them into his hand. "Thirty-two," he said after a moment.

Tadhg had been counting more slowly, and his smile grew as he dropped the last few coins into his hand, lips moving silently. "Thirty."

Eamon swore. "Looks like I'll be buying you that drink, Tadhg." Two pennies more than him! They packed up their remaining wares and headed back to the pub.

***

"Eamon, I need to buy a ring for Aisling." Tadhg rose and started to walk out of the pub.

Eamon took one last gulp of whiskey and hurried to catch up with Tadhg. "You wanted to propose, but haven't gotten a ring?"

"Oh, come off it," Tadhg groaned. "The ring isn't the most important part."

"Your Aisling might think differently," Eamon grinned. "You aren't thinking you'll find a ring this late, are you?"

"I'll find one somehow," Tadhg said determinedly. The two men walked up and down the street, peering into windows and stopping at stalls.

After much searching, Tadhg finally found a ring. It was simple - just a silver band, but Tadhg insisted 'his' Aisling would like it.

Eamon and Tadhg started on their way home. A few miles down the road, a man driving a cart overtook them.

He could be our ride home. "Sláinte!" Eamon hailed, nudging Tadhg.

The man slowed, pulling on his horse's reins. "Tráthnóna maith agat," he responded. "Where are you headed?"

"Swinford. Could we ride with you a way?"

The man nodded. "Make yourselves comfortable. If you'll be needing to move my things, just push them to one side." He jerked his thumb towards the back of the cart.

Eamon called, "Go raibh maith agat!" He and Tadhg both grinned at each other and climbed into the cart, pushing the man's goods aside to make room for their legs.

"Where you at Attymass today?" Tadhg asked the man, leaning back against the edge of the cart as it began to move forward.

"Tá," the man affirmed in Gaelic. "Agus tú?"

"Tá," Eamon replied, wondering why he didn't speak Gaelic more often. He liked the way it rolled off his tongue, but English was more practical for everyday matters like trading.

"What were you selling?" The man asked.

"Baskets," Tadgh answered.

"Shawls," Eamon said at the same moment.

The man turned to look back at them. "Well, was it baskets or was it shawls?"

"Both," Eamon and Tadhg answered simultaneously.

Eamon glared at Tadhg, who shrugged and motioned for Eamon to continue. "I was selling shawls, he was selling baskets," Eamon clarified. "We were working together."

"I see." The man nodded and turned back to face the road, which dipped down into a little hollow. The trees overhanging the road blocked the moon from view momentarily.

A shot rang out and a voice called, "Stand and deliver!"

What! Eamon sat up straight as the cart lurched to a halt. "Tadhg!" He whispered. "Give me your money!"

"Wh-" Tadhg started to protest, but handed his money to Eamon.

Eamon quickly shoved Tadhg's money in his boot, then hurriedly did the same thing with his money. "We'll divide it up later," he muttered.

A torch flared on either side of the road, illuminating several figures. The torches moved closer. "Off of the cart," a rough voice ordered. The owner of the cart slid down hurriedly and stood by his horse's head. "You in the back, too."

Eamon and Tadhg glanced at each other and climbed out of the cart. "Let me lean on you," Eamon whispered. Tadhg threw a surprised glance at Eamon, but offered his shoulder. Eamon rested his weight on Tadhg and held his left leg off the ground as if the action of putting weight on his foot pained him.

A man approached them, carrying a torch. "Your money, lads," he demanded.

Eamon leaned a little more of his weight on Tadhg and answered, "We have no money."

"No money, eh? Then why do I smell whiskey?" The robber held the torch closer to Eamon and Tadhg, peering at their clothes.

"That's where the money went," Eamon explained patiently. Tadhg nodded in affirmation of Eamon's statement. Eamon shifted his weight and heard a faint clink of metal from the depths of his boot.

The robber chuckled. "I'd like to believe you. Take off your coats."

"But-" Tadhg started to protest again, but Eamon nudged him and obeyed the robber.

"You'll not find anything," Eamon said gravely, watching as the robber felt in the pockets of the coats.

"You were wrong," the man chuckled, holding up two coins. "You still had some money."

Eamon pasted a frown onto his face. Only two coins lost - not a bad gamble. "Now we haven't any money at all," he grumbled.

The robber tossed Eamon and Tadhg's coats at them. "Sorry, lads, but highwaymen have to make a living, too." He called over to the other robbers, "Nothing much over here!"

The other highwaymen congregated around the back of the cart while Eamon and Tadhg stood stiffly, not wanting to make more noise and alert the robbers to their money in Eamon's boot. The highwaymen rummaged through the cart, leaving the owner's sacks of vegetables and seeds.

"All right, lads," the leader called, "let's be off!" The highwaymen moved away, their torches highlighting their progress back towards the trees.

Eamon let out a sigh of relief and climbed back into the cart, followed by Tadhg. "Well, that could have been worse," Eamon said to Tadhg and the owner of the cart.

"Tá," the man agreed grudgingly, "at least I'm clever enough not to carry much money with me." He seated himself on the cart once more and they began to move again.

"How many coins did you have?" Eamon asked Tadhg in an undertone, leaning forward until he was almost touching Tadhg's forehead.

"Hm? Ah...twenty-two," Tadhg answered after a moment.

"Hold out your hands." Eamon pulled off his boot and began counting pennies into Tadhg's hands, counting softly. "There," he said after a moment.

"That was quick thinking," Tadhg murmured.

Eamon grinned. "I know." He leaned back, then sat up straight again. "The ring for Aisling! Was it in your pocket?"

Tadhg shook his head. "No."

"No! Where was it, then?"

"It was on my finger." Tadhg leaned forward and touched his hand to Eamon's.

Eamon felt the cool metal of the ring on Tadhg's smallest finger and snickered. "You have big hands."

"Yours are bigger!" Tadhg jerked his hand away.

Eamon sighed and rested his head on the edge of the cart. "You'll make Aisling very happy."

"Hmm." Tadhg made a thoughtful noise and stretched his legs out near Eamon's. "What if she says no?"

"She won't," Eamon answered confidently. He closed his eyes and began to doze.

"Lads?" The cart stopped in front of a house and the man was looking back at them. "You'll be needing to get off now."

Eamon nudged Tadhg. "Go raibh maith agat," he called as they scrambled off the cart.

"Slán," the man called after them, turning his horse down the path to the house.

Eamon and Tadhg walked boldly into the darkness. They knew that if they followed the road, it would lead them back to Swinford.

***

*Tráthnóna maith agat - Good evening

*Go raibh maith agat - Thank you

*Tá - Yes

*Agus tú? - And you?

*Slán - Goodbye