the privilege of having the clothes stitched upon the body. If it should, however, be necessary, it is well to say (as usual, with the idea of dodging the Powers of Evil):[1]
"I am sewing about the grey stone yonder
And about the carlin of the priest."
It is for good fortune, and not merely of good manners, that if you go to a house to ask for anything, you should begin with a little general conversation. If you fail to do this, those around should say:
"Ask it of the ravens,
And of the hoodie-crows,
And of the ridge-beam of your father's house."
In the same way, and possibly also with the idea of diverting the attention of the Powers of Evil, if anyone should relate, as news, that a neighbour has lost a cow or a horse, those sitting by should say:
"Pluck the hair out,
Put it into the fire,
And may all be well where this is told."
If a person makes a very brief call, it is usual to say, "Did you come for fire?" which is sarcastic, and equivalent to, "I suppose you want something."
It is not right for a woman to comb her hair at night: every hair may become entangled in the feet of a friend who is sailing in a ship. Nor is it right to count the teeth of a comb—that means you are numbering the years of your life; nor to throw a comb to anyone. There is a saying, "Do not throw a comb but at an enemy."
It is not right for a person to cut his own hair. There is a saying about "raising scissors above one's breath"—possibly some allusion to cutting the breath of life.
It is not right to put a sieve on the head, as it stunts the growth. Short people are often taunted with having done
- ↑ See "The Powers of Evil in the Outer Hebrides," Folk-Lore, x., 265.
