His wife was out, and Donal was glad of it.

He told him all that had taken place.
He listened in silence, his eyes fixed on him, his work on his lap, his hand with the awl hanging by his side.

When he heard how Eppy had tricked Donal that night, leaving him to watch in vain, tears gathered in his old eyes.

He wiped them away with the backs of his horny hands, and there came no more.

Donal told him he had first thought he would say nothing to him about it all, he was so loath to trouble them, but neither his heart nor his conscience would let him be silent.
"Ye did richt to tell me," said Andrew, after a pause.