"That is easily done," said Mananan.

"Thy wife hath had a new husband since I carried her off from thee." Straightway the cup fell apart into four pieces.

"My husband has lied to thee, Cormac," said Fand, and immediately the cup became whole again.
Cormac then began to question Mananan as to the things he had seen on his way thither, and he told him of the house that was being thatched with the wings of birds, and of the men that kept returning ever and again to their work as the wind destroyed it.

And Mananan said, "These, O Cormac, are the men of art, who seek to gather together much money and gear of all kinds by the exercise of their craft, but as fast as they get it, so they spend it, or faster and the result is that they will never be rich." But when he had said this it is related that the golden cup broke into pieces where it stood.

Then Cormac said, "The explanation thou hast given of this mystery is not true." Mananan smiled, and said, "Nevertheless it must suffice thee, O King, for the truth of this matter may not be known, lest the men of art give over the roofing of the house and it be covered with common thatch." So when they had talked their fill, Cormac and his wife and children were brought to a chamber where they lay down to sleep.