Globaleyes: The Devil is an Irishman

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Martin the Cards returns home to his wife, his bad gambling streak at an all-time low.

She listened, not at all amazed. Such things were by no means uncommon, she knew, sensible woman that she was.

'All right' she soothed when he had said his piece. 'If you'll be said by me, there's only one way to get over this - apart from staying at home entirely, that is' - she smiled briefly as she added this and gave him a quick glance from the corner of her eye. But he did not noticed the appeal.

He snuffled, then looked up at her.

'What is it you're blathering on about woman? How would there be a way out o' this? I'm finished - done! - an' that's all about it. I'll go to an early grave if things don't change quick, but how would they? The damage is done an' that's that'

He was not a pretty sight just then, whining. Cait felt like giving him a boot in a strategical place, to bring him back to something resembling a man, even if only briefly.

'Will you catch a hold of yourself,' she snorted, goaded by his weakness. 'Are you my husband or a ciarog?'

'I don't know anymore and that's the truth of it', he whimpered, a defeated specimen of humanity.

'Listen to me now,' she hissed, 'an listen to me very carefully. I always heard it said by my people in West Clare' - she was from Kilfearagh, beyond Kilrush - 'that there's only one cure when things start goin' against you at cards: under the briar, as quick as ever as you can find one'

His head jerked up. He knew exactly what is was she was talking about: the two-rooted briar. It was common knowledge, just as the prophecies of Colmcille were, among the old people. The only bother was... Yes, he also knew the drawback.

'What's that you're saying?' he mouthed. 'I hope I didn't hear you right. The two-rooted briar! Is it so you want me bringing the Devil into this house. My father warned me many a time about the same thing. I'll have nothing to do with it, so I won't, no matter what misfortune is on me...'

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