Irish Tales / Ирландские сказки. Книга для чтения на английском языке

�God save you,’ says the king to the young man.

�God save you kindly, King O’Toole,’ says the young man.

�True for you,’ says the king. �I am King O’Toole,’ says he, �prince and plennypennytinchery of these parts,’ says he; �but how came ye to know that?’ says he.

�Oh, never mind,’ says St. Kavin.

You see it was St. Kavin, sure enough – the saint himself in disguise, and nobody else. �Oh, never mind,’ says he, �I know more than that. May I make bold to ask how is your goose, King O’Toole?’ says he.

�Blur-an-agers, how came ye to know about my goose?’ says the king.

�Oh, no matter; I was given to understand it,’ says St. Kavin.

After some more talk the king says, �What are you?’

�I’m an honest man,’ says St. Kavin.

�Well, honest man,’ says the king, �and how is it you make your money so aisy?’

�By makin’ old things as good as new,’ says St. Ka-vin.

�Is it a tinker you are?’ says the king.

�No,’ says the saint; �I’m no tinker by trade, King O’Toole; I’ve a better trade than a tinker,’ says he. �What would you say,’ says he, �if I made your old goose as good as new?’

My dear, at the word of making his goose as good as new, you’d think the poor old king’s eyes were ready to jump out of his head. With that the king whistled, and down came the poor goose, just like a hound, waddling up to the poor cripple, her master, and as like him as two peas.

�By Jaminee?’ says King O’Toole. �If you do, I’ll say you’re the cleverest fellow in the seven parishes.’

�Oh, by dad,’ says St. Kavin, �you must say more nor that – my horn’s not so soft all out,’ says he, �as to repair your old goose for nothing; what’ll you gi’ me if I do the job for you? – that’s the chat,’ says St.

�I’ll give you whatever you ask,’ says the king; �isn’t that fair?’

�Divil a fairer,’ says the saint; �That’s the way to do business. Now,’ says he, �this is the bargain I’ll make with you, King O’Toole: will you gi’ me all the ground the goose flies over, the first offer, after I make her as good as new?’

�I will,’ says the king.

�You won’t go back o’ your word?’ says St. Kavin.