But there was no sleep for her that night , for she lay in the dark thinking about her son . ` If he is to be a thief at all , he had better be a good one . And who is there that can teach him ? ' the mother asked herself . But an idea came to her , and she arose early , before the sun was up , and set off for the home of the Black Rogue , or Gallows Bird , who was such a wonderful thief that , though all had been robbed by him , no one could catch him . ` Good-morning to you , ' said the woman as she reached the place where the Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his business . ` My son has a fancy to learn your trade . Will you be kind enough to teach him ? ' ` If he is clever , I do n't mind trying , ' answered the Black Gallows Bird ; ` and , of course , if ANY one can turn him into a first-rate thief , it is I . But if he is stupid , it is of no use at all ; I ca n't bear stupid people . ' ` No , he is n't stupid , ' said the woman with a sigh . ` So to-night , after dark , I will send him to you . ' The Shifty Lad jumped for joy when his mother told him where she had been . ' I will become the best thief in all Erin ! ' he cried , and paid no heed when his mother shook her head and murmured something about ` the bridge of Dublin . ' Every evening after dark the Shifty Lad went to the home of the Black Gallows Bird , and many were the new tricks he learned . By-and-by he was allowed to go out with the Bird and watch him at work , and at last there came a day when his master though that he had grown clever enough to help in a big robbery . ` There is a rich farmer up there on the hill , who has just sold all his fat cattle for much money and has bought some lean ones which will cost him little . Now it happens that , while he has received the money for the fat cattle , he has not yet paid the price of the thin ones , which he has in the cowhouse . To-morrow he will go to the market with the money in his hand , so to-night we must get at the chest .
When all is quiet we will hide XXXXX the loft . '
about after as before in of that up while with