moseley198byas

@@@@@Other men and women draped or clothed themselves from the boxes, shouting out who they were and racing through the big room in a free-for-all game of hiding behind chairs and chasing one another"I know it's all very silly," John Morland said apologetically through a huge papier-mache lion's head "But it is Midsummer Night, we're all allowed to go a bit mad "I'm mighty put out with you, Bart," Scarlett told him"You're no help to a lady at allWhy didn't you tell me I needed dozens of dresses?" "Oh, Lord, do you? I never notice what ladies have onI don't understand why they fuss so By the time everyone tired of the game they were playing, the long,long Irish twilight was doneIt's dark," Alice shouted "Let's go look at the fires Scarlett felt a wave of guiltShe should be at BallyharaMidsummer Night was almost as important as Saint Brigid's Day in farming traditionBonfires marked the turning point in the year, its shortest night, and gave mystical protection for the cattle and the cropsWhen the house party went out onto the dark lawn they could see the glow of a distant fire, hear the sound of an Irish reelScarlett knew she should be at BallyharaThe O 'Hara should be at the bonfire ceremonyAnd there, too, when the sun rose and the cattle were run through the dying coals of the fireColum had told her she shouldn't go to an Anglo house partyWhether she believed in them or not, the ancient traditions were important to the IrishShe'd gotten angry with himSuperstitions couldn't run her lifeBut now she suspected she was wrong"Why aren't you at the Ballyhara fire?" asked Bart"Why aren't you at yours?" Scarlett snapped angr