Nanny Reilly

"Jeepers," said Nanny in astonishment. "Are you a leprechaun?" "Aye, lass. you just hit the nail on the head. "I'm a leprechaun alright, but I'm no ordinary leprechaun. I am King Brian said the little man, reaching for the lapels of his waistcoat and sticking his chest out with pride. Henry Daly stood at Nanny's side and growled at King Brian. He sensed the little man was up to no good and it was his job to protect Nanny. He pushed his snout into Nanny's hand and whined several times. "I'm King of all the leprechauns of Coolrainy, and you've been stealing the roofs off our houses," said King Brian, his voice taking on a serious tone. "I didn't know you lived under the mushrooms," said Nanny, "Nobody told me. I can put them all back and I'll never do it again." "It's too late for that," King Brian said with a hint of mischief in his voice. "You owe me a favor, or else I'll have to put you under leprechaun's arrest." "Leprechaun's arrest? What's that?" Nanny asked, starting to wish she had never come out to play that day. "Leprechaun's arrest, means that all my leprechauns will surround you and your dog, Henry Daly, right here at Magandy's Pond. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to break through the circle of leprechauns, until every mushroom you picked all summer grows back, and all my people have the roofs back on their houses. "But that will take weeks," Nanny said. "I have to go home tonight to get my supper, and my big brother is taking me to the fair tomorrow." "Well, unless you promise to do me a favor, you're going to be under leprechaun's arrest from this very moment, and you'll get no mushroom soup for your supper. Nor will you be able to go to any fair," the leprechaun paced around the top of the mushroom looking small but important. "Not tomorrow, or the day after that, or any day in the near future. Not until all those mushrooms have grown back," King Brian said with a glint of achievement in his voice. He reached behind his head and tipped his crown down slightly on his brow. King Brian was a crafty old soul. He knew he had left Nanny no way out. He was feeling like cock of the walk and proud of himself for being so clever. Nanny didn't like what she heard. Henry Daly took a step toward King Brian and growled. He knew Nanny was bothered by what she heard. "I'll set my dog after you," said Nanny. "My brother told me that Henry's grandfather won the greyhound derby in record time. He can catch any rabbit around here, and he'll surely be able to catch you."