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  ACOMEDYINTHREEACTS

  PREFACE

  InwritingTHEPLAYBOYOFTHEWESTERNWORLD,asinmyotherplays,IhaveusedoneortwowordsonlythatIhavenotheardamongthecountrypeopleofIreland,orspokeninmyownnurserybeforeIcouldreadthenewspapers。A

  certainnumberofthephrasesIemployIhaveheardalsofromherdsandfishermenalongthecoastfromKerrytoMayo,orfrombeggar-womenandballadsingersnearerDublin;andIamgladtoacknowledgehowmuchIowetothefolkimaginationofthesefinepeople。AnyonewhohaslivedinrealintimacywiththeIrishpeasantrywillknowthatthewildestsayingsandideasinthisplayaretameindeed,comparedwiththefanciesonemayhearinanylittlehillsidecabininGeesala,orCarraroe,orDingleBay。Allartisacollaboration;andthereislittledoubtthatinthehappyagesofliterature,strikingandbeautifulphraseswereasreadytothestory-teller’sortheplaywright’shand,astherichcloaksanddressesofhistime。ItisprobablethatwhentheElizabethandramatisttookhisink-hornandsatdowntohisworkheusedmanyphrasesthathehadjustheard,ashesatatdinner,fromhismotherorhischildren。InIreland,thoseofuswhoknowthepeoplehavethesameprivilege。WhenIwaswriting\"TheShadowoftheGlen,\"someyearsago,IgotmoreaidthananylearningcouldhavegivenmefromachinkintheflooroftheoldWicklowhousewhereIwasstaying,thatletmehearwhatwasbeingsaidbytheservantgirlsinthekitchen。Thismatter,Ithink,isofimportance,forincountrieswheretheimaginationofthepeople,andthelanguagetheyuse,isrichandliving,itispossibleforawritertoberichandcopiousinhiswords,andatthesametimetogivethereality,whichistherootofallpoetry,inacomprehensiveandnaturalform。Inthemodernliteratureoftowns,however,richnessisfoundonlyinsonnets,orprosepoems,orinoneortwoelaboratebooksthatarefarawayfromtheprofoundandcommoninterestsoflife。Onehas,ononeside,MallarmeandHuysmansproducingthisliterature;andontheother,IbsenandZoladealingwiththerealityoflifeinjoylessandpallidwords。Onthestageonemusthavereality,andonemusthavejoy;andthatiswhytheintellectualmoderndramahasfailed,andpeoplehavegrownsickofthefalsejoyofthemusicalcomedy,thathasbeengiventheminplaceoftherichjoyfoundonlyinwhatissuperbandwildinreality。Inagoodplayeveryspeechshouldbeasfullyflavouredasanutorapple,andsuchspeechescannotbewrittenbyanyonewhoworksamongpeoplewhohaveshuttheirlipsonpoetry。InIreland,forafewyearsmore,wehaveapopularimaginationthatisfieryandmagnificent,andtender;

  sothatthoseofuswhowishtowritestartwithachancethatisnotgiventowritersinplaceswherethespringtimeofthelocallifehasbeenforgotten,andtheharvestisamemoryonly,andthestrawhasbeenturnedintobricks。

  J。M。S。

  January21st,1907。

  PERSONS

  CHRISTOPHERMAHON。

  OLDMAHON,hisfather,asquatter。

  MICHAELJAMESFLAHERTY(calledMICHAELJAMES),apublican。

  MARGARETFLAHERTY(called]PEGEENMIKE),hisdaughter。

  WIDOWQUIN,awomanofaboutthirty。

  SHAWNKEOUGH,hercousin,ayoungfarmer。

  PHILLYCULLENANDJIMMYFARRELL,smallfarmers。

  SARATANSEY,SUSANBRADY,ANDHONORBLAKE,villagegirls。

  ABELLMAN。

  SOMEPEASANTS。

  Theactiontakesplacenearavillage,onawildcoastofMayo。ThefirstActpassesonaneveningofautumn,theothertwoActsonthefollowingday。

  THEPLAYBOYOFTHEWESTERNWORLD

  __________

  ACTI。

  SCENE:[Countrypublic-houseorshebeen,veryroughanduntidy。Thereisasortofcounterontherightwithshelves,holdingmanybottlesandjugs,justseenaboveit。Emptybarrelsstandnearthecounter。Atback,alittletoleftofcounter,thereisadoorintotheopenair,then,moretotheleft,thereisasettlewithshelvesaboveit,withmorejugs,andatablebeneathawindow。Attheleftthereisalargeopenfire-place,withturffire,andasmalldoorintoinnerroom。Pegeen,awildlookingbutfinegirl,ofabouttwenty,iswritingattable。Sheisdressedintheusualpeasantdress。]

  PEGEEN——[slowlyasshewrites。]——Sixyardsofstufffortomakeayellowgown。Apairoflacebootswithlengthyheelsonthemandbrassyeyes。Ahatissuitedforawedding-day。Afinetoothcomb。TobesentwiththreebarrelsofporterinJimmyFarrell’screelcartontheeveningofthecomingFairtoMisterMichaelJamesFlaherty。Withthebestcomplimentsofthisseason。MargaretFlaherty。

  SHAWNKEOGH——[afatandfairyoungmancomesinasshesigns,looksroundawkwardly,whenheseessheisalone。]——Where’shimself?

  PEGEEN——[withoutlookingathim。]——He’scoming。(Shedirectstheletter。)

  ToMisterSheamusMulroy,WineandSpiritDealer,Castlebar。

  SHAWN——[uneasily。]——Ididn’tseehimontheroad。

  PEGEEN。Howwouldyouseehim(licksstampandputsitonletter)anditdarknightthishalfhourgoneby?

  SHAWN——[turningtowardsthedooragain。]——IstoodawhileoutsidewonderingwouldIhavearighttopassonortowalkinandseeyou,PegeenMike(comestofire),andIcouldhearthecowsbreathing,andsighinginthestillnessoftheair,andnotastepmovinganyplacefromthisgatetothebridge。

  PEGEEN——[puttingletterinenvelope。]——It’saboveatthecross-roadsheis,meetingPhillyCullen;andacouplemorearegoingalongwithhimtoKateCassidy’swake。

  SHAWN——[lookingatherblankly。]——Andhe’sgoingthatlengthinthedarknight?

  PEGEEN——[impatiently。]Heissurely,andleavingmelonesomeonthescruffofthehill。(Shegetsupandputsenvelopeondresser,thenwindsclock。)

  Isn’titlongthenightsarenow,ShawnKeogh,tobeleavingapoorgirlwithherownselfcountingthehourstothedawnofday?

  SHAWN——[withawkwardhumour。]——Ifitis,whenwe’reweddedinashortwhileyou’llhavenocalltocomplain,forI’velittlewilltobewalkingofftowakesorweddingsinthedarknessofthenight。

  PEGEEN——[withratherscornfulgoodhumour。]——You’remakingmightycertain,Shaneen,thatI’llwedyounow。

  SHAWN。Aren’tweaftermakingagoodbargain,thewaywe’reonlywaitingthesedaysonFatherReilly’sdispensationfromthebishops,ortheCourtofRome。

  PEGEEN——[lookingathimteasingly,washingupatdresser。]——It’sawonder,Shaneen,theHolyFather’dbetakingnoticeofthelikesofyou;forifIwashimIwouldn’tbotherwiththisplacewhereyou’llmeetnonebutRedLinahan,hasasquintinhiseye,andPatcheenislameinhisheel,orthemadMulranniesweredrivenfromCaliforniaandtheylostintheirwits。We’reaqueerlotthesetimestogotroublingtheHolyFatheronhissacredseat。

  SHAWN——[scandalized。]Ifweare,we’reasgoodthisplaceasanother,maybe,andasgoodthesetimesaswewereforever。

  PEGEEN——[withscorn。]——Asgood,isit?WherenowwillyoumeetthelikeofDaneenSullivanknockedtheeyefromapeeler,orMarcusQuin,Godresthim,gotsixmonthsformaimingewes,andheagreatwarranttotellstoriesofholyIrelandtillhe’dhavetheoldwomensheddingdowntearsabouttheirfeet。Wherewillyoufindthelikeofthem,I’msaying?

  SHAWN——[timidly。]Ifyoudon’tit’sagoodjob,maybe;for(withpeculiaremphasisonthewords)FatherReillyhassmallconceittohavethatkindwalkingaroundandtalkingtothegirls。

  PEGEEN——[impatiently,throwingwaterfrombasinoutofthedoor。]——StoptormentingmewithFatherReilly(imitatinghisvoice)whenI’maskingonlywhatwayI’llpassthesetwelvehoursofdark,andnottakemydeathwiththefear。[Lookingoutofdoor。]

  SHAWN——[timidly。]WouldIfetchyouthewidowQuin,maybe?

  PEGEEN。Isitthelikeofthatmurderer?You’llnot,surely。

  SHAWN——[goingtoher,soothingly。]——ThenI’mthinkinghimselfwillstopalongwithyouwhenheseesyoutakingon,forit’llbealongnight-timewithgreatdarkness,andI’mafterfeelingakindoffellowaboveinthefurzyditch,groaningwickedlikeamaddeningdog,thewayit’sgoodcauseyouhave,maybe,tobefearingnow。

  PEGEEN——[turningonhimsharply。]——What’sthat?Isitamanyouseen?

  SHAWN——[retreating。]Icouldn’tseehimatall;butIheardhimgroaningout,andbreakinghisheart。Itshouldhavebeenayoungmanfromhiswordsspeaking。

  PEGEEN——[goingafterhim。]——Andyouneverwentneartoseewashehurtedorwhatailedhimatall?

  SHAWN。Ididnot,PegeenMike。Itwasadark,lonesomeplacetobehearingthelikeofhim。

  PEGEEN。Well,you’readaringfellow,andiftheyfindhiscorpsestretchedaboveinthedewsofdawn,what’llyousaythentothepeelers,ortheJusticeofthePeace?

  SHAWN——[thunderstruck。]Iwasn’tthinkingofthat。FortheloveofGod,PegeenMike,don’tletonIwasspeakingofhim。Don’ttellyourfatherandthemeniscomingabove;foriftheyheardthatstory,they’dhavegreatblabbingthisnightatthewake。

  PEGEEN。I’llmaybetellthem,andI’llmaybenot。

  SHAWN。Theyarecomingatthedoor,Willyouwhisht,I’msaying?

  PEGEEN。Whishtyourself。

  [Shegoesbehindcounter。MichaelJames,fatjovialpublican,comesinfollowedbyPhillyCullen,whoisthinandmistrusting,andJimmyFarrell,whoisfatandamorous,aboutforty-five。]

  MEN——[together。]——Godblessyou。TheblessingofGodonthisplace。

  PEGEEN。Godblessyoukindly。

  MICHAEL——[tomenwhogotothecounter。]——Sitdownnow,andtakeyourrest。(CrossestoShawnatthefire。)Andhowisityouare,ShawnKeogh?

  AreyoucomingoverthesandstoKateCassidy’swake?

  SHAWN。Iamnot,MichaelJames。I’mgoinghometheshortcuttomybed。

  PEGEEN——[speakingacrossthecounter。]——He’srighttoo,andhaveyounoshame,MichaelJames,tobequittingoffforthewholenight,andleavingmyselflonesomeintheshop?

  MICHAEL——[good-humouredly。]Isn’titthesamewhetherIgoforthewholenightorapartonly?andI’mthinkingit’saqueerdaughteryouareifyou’dhavemecrossingbackwardthroughtheStooksoftheDeadWomen,withadroptaken。

  PEGEEN。IfIamaqueerdaughter,it’saqueerfather’dbeleavingmelonesomethesetwelvehoursofdark,andIpilingtheturfwiththedogsbarking,andthecalvesmooing,andmyownteethrattlingwiththefear。

  JIMMY——[flatteringly。]——Whatistheretohurtyou,andyouafine,hardygirlwouldknocktheheadofanytwomenintheplace?

  PEGEEN——[workingherselfup。]——Isn’ttheretheharvestboyswiththeirtonguesredfordrink,andthetentinkersiscampedintheeastglen,andthethousandmilitia——badcesstothem!——walkingidlethroughtheland。

  There’slotssurelytohurtme,andIwon’tstopaloneinit,lethimselfdowhathewill。

  MICHAEL。Ifyou’rethatafeard,letShawnKeoghstopalongwithyou。It’sthewillofGod,I’mthinking,himselfshouldbeseeingtoyounow。[TheyallturnonShawn。]

  SHAWN——[inhorrifiedconfusion。]——Iwouldandwelcome,MichaelJames,butI’mafeardofFatherReilly;andwhatatallwouldtheHolyFatherandtheCardinalsofRomebesayingiftheyheardIdidthelikeofthat?

  MICHAEL——[withcontempt。]——Godhelpyou!Can’tyousitinbythehearthwiththelightlitandherselfbeyondintheroom?You’lldothatsurely,forI’veheardtellthere’saqueerfellowabove,goingmadorgettinghisdeath,maybe,inthegripeoftheditch,soshe’dbesaferthisnightwithapersonhere。

  SHAWN——[withplaintivedespair。]——I’mafeardofFatherReilly,I’msaying。

  Letyounotbetemptingme,andwenearmarrieditself。

  PHILLY——[withcoldcontempt。]——Lockhiminthewestroom。He’llstaythenandhavenosintobetellingtothepriest。

  MICHAEL——[toShawn,gettingbetweenhimandthedoor。]——Goupnow。

  SHAWN——[atthetopofhisvoice。]——Don’tstopme,MichaelJames。Letmeoutofthedoor,I’msaying,fortheloveoftheAlmightyGod。Letmeout(tryingtododgepasthim)。Letmeoutofit,andmayGodgrantyouHisindulgenceinthehourofneed。

  MICHAEL——[loudly。]Stopyournoising,andsitdownbythehearth。[Giveshimapushandgoestocounterlaughing。]

  SHAWN——[turningback,wringinghishands。]——Oh,FatherReillyandthesaintsofGod,wherewillIhidemyselfto-day?Oh,St。JosephandSt。

  PatrickandSt。Brigid,andSt。James,havemercyonmenow![Shawnturnsround,seesdoorclear,andmakesarushforit。]

  MICHAEL——[catchinghimbythecoattail。]——You’dbegoing,isit?

  SHAWN——[screaming。]Leavemego,MichaelJames,leavemego,youoldPagan,leavemego,orI’llgetthecurseofthepriestsonyou,andofthescarlet-coatedbishopsofthecourtsofRome。[Withasuddenmovementhepullshimselfoutofhiscoat,anddisappearsoutofthedoor,leavinghiscoatinMichael’shands。]

  MICHAEL——[turninground,andholdingupcoat。]——Well,there’sthecoatofaChristianman。Oh,there’ssaintedglorythisdayinthelonesomewest;andbythewillofGodI’vegotyouadecentman,Pegeen,you’llhavenocalltobespyingafterifyou’veascoreofyounggirls,maybe,weedinginyourfields。

  PEGEEN[takingupthedefenceofherproperty。]——Whatrighthaveyoutobemakinggameofapoorfellowformindingthepriest,whenit’syourownthefaultis,notpayingapennypot-boytostandalongwithmeandgivemecourageinthedoingofmywork?[Shesnapsthecoatawayfromhim,andgoesbehindcounterwithit。]

  MICHAEL——[takenaback。]——WherewouldIgetapot-boy?Wouldyouhavemesendthebell-manscreaminginthestreetsofCastlebar?

  SHAWN——[openingthedoorachinkandputtinginhishead,inasmallvoice。]

  ——MichaelJames!

  MICHAEL——[imitatinghim。]——Whatailsyou?

  SHAWN。Thequeerdyingfellow’sbeyondlookingovertheditch。He’scomeup,I’mthinking,stealingyourhens。(Looksoverhisshoulder。)Godhelpme,he’sfollowingmenow(herunsintoroom),andifhe’sheardwhatIsaid,he’llbehavingmylife,andIgoinghomelonesomeinthedarknessofthenight。[Foraperceptiblemomenttheywatchthedoorwithcuriosity。Someonecoughsoutside。ThenChristyMahon,aslightyoungman,comesinverytiredandfrightenedanddirty。]

  CHRISTY——[inasmallvoice。]——Godsaveallhere!

  MEN。Godsaveyoukindly。

  CHRISTY——[goingtothecounter。]——I’dtroubleyouforaglassofporter,womanofthehouse。[Heputsdowncoin。]

  PEGEEN——[servinghim。]——You’reoneofthetinkers,youngfellow,isbeyondcampedintheglen?

  CHRISTY。Iamnot;butI’mdestroyedwalking。

  MICHAEL——[patronizingly。]Letyoucomeupthentothefire。You’relookingfamishedwiththecold。

  CHRISTY。Godrewardyou。(Hetakesuphisglassandgoesalittlewayacrosstotheleft,thenstopsandlooksabouthim。)Isitoftenthepolicedobecomingintothisplace,masterofthehouse?

  MICHAEL。Ifyou’dcomeinbetterhours,you’dhaveseen\"LicensedforthesaleofBeerandSpirits,tobeconsumedonthepremises,\"writteninwhitelettersabovethedoor,andwhatwouldthepoliswantspyingonme,andnotadecenthousewithinfourmiles,thewayeverylivingChristianisabonafide,savingonewidowalone?

  CHRISTY——[withrelief。]——It’sasafehouse,so。[Hegoesovertothefire,sighingandmoaning。Thenhesitsdown,puttinghisglassbesidehimandbeginsgnawingaturnip,toomiserabletofeeltheothersstaringathimwithcuriosity。]

  MICHAEL——[goingafterhim。]——Isityourselffearingthepolis?You’rewanting,maybe?

  CHRISTY。There’smanywanting。

  MICHAEL。Manysurely,withthebrokenharvestandtheendedwars。(Hepicksupsomestockings,etc。,thatarenearthefire,andcarriesthemawayfurtively。)Itshouldbelarceny,I’mthinking?

  CHRISTY——[dolefully。]Ihaditinmyminditwasadifferentwordandabigger。

  PEGEEN。There’saqueerlad。Wereyouneverslappedinschool,youngfellow,thatyoudon’tknowthenameofyourdeed?

  CHRISTY——[bashfully。]I’mslowatlearning,amiddlingscholaronly。

  MICHAEL。Ifyou’readunceitself,you’dhavearighttoknowthatlarceny’srobbingandstealing。Isitforthelikeofthatyou’rewanting?

  CHRISTY——[withaflashoffamilypride。]——AndIthesonofastrongfarmer(withasuddenqualm),Godresthissoul,couldhaveboughtupthewholeofyouroldhouseawhilesince,fromthebuttofhistailpocket,andnothavemissedtheweightofitgone。

  MICHAEL——[impressed。]Ifit’snotstealing,it’smaybesomethingbig。

  CHRISTY——[flattered。]Aye;it’smaybesomethingbig。

  JIMMY。He’sawicked-lookingyoungfellow。Maybehefollowedafterayoungwomanonalonesomenight。

  CHRISTY——[shocked。]Oh,thesaintsforbid,mister;Iwasalltimesadecentlad。

  PHILLY——[turningonJimmy。]——You’reasillyman,JimmyFarrell。Hesaidhisfatherwasafarmerawhilesince,andthere’shimselfnowinapoorstate。Maybethelandwasgrabbedfromhim,andhedidwhatanydecentmanwoulddo。

  MICHAEL——[toChristy,mysteriously。]——Wasitbailiffs?

  CHRISTY。Thedivilaone。

  MICHAEL。Agents?

  CHRISTY。Thedivilaone。

  MICHAEL。Landlords?

  CHRISTY——[peevishly。]Ah,notatall,I’msaying。You’dseethelikeofthemstoriesonanylittlepaperofaMunstertown。ButI’mnotcallingtomindanyperson,gentle,simple,judgeorjury,didthelikeofme。[Theyalldrawnearerwithdelightedcuriosity。]

  PHILLY。Well,thatlad’sapuzzle——theworld。

  JIMMY。He’dbeatDanDavies’circus,ortheholymissionersmakingsermonsonthevillainyofman。Tryhimagain,Philly。

  PHILLY。Didyoustrikegoldenguineasoutofsolder,youngfellow,orshillingcoinsitself?

  CHRISTY。Ididnot,mister,notsixpencenorafarthingcoin。

  JIMMY。Didyoumarrythreewivesmaybe?I’mtoldthere’sasprinklinghavedonethatamongtheholyLuthersofthepreachingnorth。

  CHRISTY——[shyly。]——Inevermarriedwithone,letalonewithacoupleorthree。

  PHILLY。MaybehewentfightingfortheBoers,thelikeofthemanbeyond,wasjudgedtobehanged,quarteredanddrawn。Wereyouoffeast,youngfellow,fightingbloodywarsforKrugerandthefreedomoftheBoers?

  CHRISTY。IneverleftmyownparishtillTuesdaywasaweek。

  PEGEEN——[comingfromcounter。]——He’sdonenothing,so。(ToChristy。)Ifyoudidn’tcommitmurderorabad,nastything,orfalsecoining,orrobbery,orbutchery,orthelikeofthem,thereisn’tanythingthatwouldbeworthyourtroublingfortorunfromnow。Youdidnothingatall。

  CHRISTY——[hisfeelingshurt。]——That’sanunkindlythingtobesayingtoapoororphanedtraveller,hasaprisonbehindhim,andhangingbefore,andhell’sgapgapingbelow。

  PEGEEN[withasigntothementobequiet。]——You’reonlysayingit。Youdidnothingatall。Asoftladthelikeofyouwouldn’tslitthewindpipeofascreechingsow。

  CHRISTY——[offended。]You’renotspeakingthetruth。

  PEGEEN——[inmockrage。]——Notspeakingthetruth,isit?Wouldyouhavemeknocktheheadofyouwiththebuttofthebroom?

  CHRISTY——[twistingroundonherwithasharpcryofhorror。]——Don’tstrikeme。Ikilledmypoorfather,Tuesdaywasaweek,fordoingthelikeofthat。

  PEGEEN[withblankamazement。]——Isitkilledyourfather?

  CHRISTY——[subsiding。]WiththehelpofGodIdidsurely,andthattheHolyImmaculateMothermayintercedeforhissoul。

  PHILLY——[retreatingwithJimmy。]——There’sadaringfellow。

  JIMMY。Oh,glorybetoGod!

  MICHAEL——[withgreatrespect。]——Thatwasahangingcrime,misterhoney。

  Youshouldhavehadgoodreasonfordoingthelikeofthat。

  CHRISTY——[inaveryreasonabletone。]——Hewasadirtyman,Godforgivehim,andhegettingoldandcrusty,thewayIcouldn’tputupwithhimatall。

  PEGEEN。Andyoushothimdead?

  CHRISTY——[shakinghishead。]——Ineverusedweapons。I’venolicense,andI’malaw-fearingman。

  MICHAEL。Itwaswithahiltedknifemaybe?I’mtold,inthebigworldit’sbloodyknivestheyuse。

  CHRISTY——[loudly,scandalized。]——Doyoutakemeforaslaughter-boy?

  PEGEEN。Youneverhangedhim,thewayJimmyFarrellhangedhisdogfromthelicense,andhaditscreechingandwrigglingthreehoursatthebuttofastring,andhimselfswearingitwasadeaddog,andthepeelersswearingithadlife?

  CHRISTY。Ididnotthen。Ijustriztheloyandletfalltheedgeofitontheridgeofhisskull,andhewentdownatmyfeetlikeanemptysack,andneverletagruntorgroanfromhimatall。

  MICHAEL——[makingasigntoPegeentofillChristy’sglass。]——Andwhatwayweren’tyouhanged,mister?Didyouburyhimthen?

  CHRISTY——[considering。]Aye。Iburiedhimthen。Wasn’tIdiggingspudsinthefield?

  MICHAEL。Andthepeelersneverfollowedafteryoutheelevendaysthatyou’reout?

  CHRISTY——[shakinghishead。]——Neveraoneofthem,andIwalkingforwardfacinghog,dog,ordivilonthehighwayoftheroad。

  PHILLY——[noddingwisely。]——It’sonlywithacommonweek-daykindofamurdererthemladswouldbetrustingtheircarcase,andthatmanshouldbeagreatterrorwhenhistemper’sroused。

  MICHAEL。Heshouldthen。(ToChristy。)Andwherewasit,misterhoney,thatyoudidthedeed?

  CHRISTY——[lookingathimwithsuspicion。]——Oh,adistantplace,masterofthehouse,awindycornerofhigh,distanthills。

  PHILLY——[noddingwithapproval。]——He’sacloseman,andhe’sright,surely。

  PEGEEN。That’dbealadwiththesenseofSolomontohaveforapot-boy,MichaelJames,ifit’sthetruthyou’reseekingoneatall。

  PHILLY。Thepeelersisfearinghim,andifyou’dthatladinthehousethereisn’toneofthemwouldcomesmellingaroundifthedogsitselfwerelappingpoteenfromthedungpitoftheyard。

  JIMMY。Bravery’satreasureinalonesomeplace,andaladwouldkillhisfather,I’mthinking,wouldfaceafoxydivilwithapitchpikeontheflagsofhell。

  PEGEEN。It’sthetruththey’resaying,andifI’dthatladinthehouse,I

  wouldn’tbefearingtheloosedkharkicut-throats,orthewalkingdead。

  CHRISTY——[swellingwithsurpriseandtriumph。]——Well,glorybetoGod!

  MICHAEL——[withdeference。]——Wouldyouthinkwelltostophereandbepot-boy,misterhoney,ifwegaveyougoodwages,anddidn’tdestroyyouwiththeweightofwork?

  SHAWN——[comingforwarduneasily。]——That’dbeaqueerkindtobringintoadecentquiethouseholdwiththelikeofPegeenMike。

  PEGEEN——[verysharply。]——Willyouwhisht?Who’sspeakingtoyou?

  SHAWN——[retreating。]Abloody-handedmurdererthelikeof……

  PEGEEN——[snappingathim。]——WhishtIamsaying;we’lltakenofoolingfromyourlikeatall。(ToChristywithahoneyedvoice。)Andyou,youngfellow,you’dhavearighttostop,I’mthinking,forwe’ddoourallandutmosttocontentyourneeds。

  CHRISTY——[overcomewithwonder。]——AndI’dbesafeinthisplacefromthesearchinglaw?

  MICHAEL。Youwould,surely。Ifthey’renotfearingyou,itself,thepeelersinthisplaceisdecentdroughtypoorfellows,wouldn’ttouchacurdogandnotgivewarninginthedeadofnight。

  PEGEEN——[verykindlyandpersuasively。]——Letyoustopashortwhileanyhow。Aren’tyoudestroyedwalkingwithyourfeetinbleedingblisters,andyourwholeskinneedingwashinglikeaWicklowsheep。

  CHRISTY——[lookingroundwithsatisfaction。]It’saniceroom,andifit’snothumbuggingmeyouare,I’mthinkingthatI’llsurelystay。

  JIMMY——[jumpsup。]——Now,bythegraceofGod,herselfwillbesafethisnight,withamankilledhisfatherholdingdangerfromthedoor,andletyoucomeon,MichaelJames,orthey’llhavethebeststuffdrunkatthewake。

  MICHAEL——[goingtothedoorwithmen。]Andbeggingyourpardon,mister,whatnamewillwecallyou,forwe’dliketoknow?

  CHRISTY。ChristopherMahon。

  MICHAEL。Well,Godblessyou,Christy,andagoodresttillwemeetagainwhenthesun’llberisingtothenoonofday。

  CHRISTY。Godblessyouall。

  MEN。Godblessyou。[TheygooutexceptShawn,wholingersatdoor。]

  SHAWN——[toPegeen。]——Areyouwantingmetostopalongwithyouandkeepyoufromharm?

  PEGEEN——[gruffly。]Didn’tyousayyouwerefearingFatherReilly?

  SHAWN。There’dbenoharmstayingnow,I’mthinking,andhimselfinittoo。

  PEGEEN。Youwouldn’tstaywhentherewasneedforyou,andletyoustepoffnimblethistimewhenthere’snone。

  SHAWN。Didn’tIsayitwasFatherReilly……

  PEGEEN。Goon,then,toFatherReilly(inajeeringtone),andlethimputyouintheholybrotherhoods,andleavethatladtome。

  SHAWN。IfImeettheWidowQuin……

  PEGEEN。Goon,I’msaying,anddon’tbewakingthisplacewithyournoise。

  (Shehustleshimoutandboltsthedoor。)Thatladwouldwearthespiritsfromthesaintsofpeace。(Bustlesabout,thentakesoffherapronandpinsitupinthewindowasablind。Christywatchinghertimidly。Thenshecomestohimandspeakswithblandgood-humour。)Letyoustretchoutnowbythefire,youngfellow。Youshouldbedestroyedtravelling。

  CHRISTY——[shylyagain,drawingoffhisboots。)I’mtired,surely,walkingwildelevendays,andwakingfearfulinthenight。[Heholdsuponeofhisfeet,feelinghisblisters,andlookingatthemwithcompassion。]

  PEGEEN——[standingbesidehim,watchinghimwithdelight。]——Youshouldhavehadgreatpeopleinyourfamily,I’mthinking,withthelittle,smallfeetyouhave,andyouwithakindofaqualityname,thelikeofwhatyou’dfindonthegreatpowersandpotentatesofFranceandSpain。

  CHRISTY——[withpride。]——Weweregreatsurely,withwideandwindyacresofrichMunsterland。

  PEGEEN。Wasn’tItellingyou,andyouafine,handsomeyoungfellowwithanoblebrow?

  CHRISTY——[withaflashofdelightedsurprise。]Isitme?

  PEGEEN。Aye。Didyouneverhearthatfromtheyounggirlswhereyoucomefrominthewestorsouth?

  CHRISTY——[withvenom。]——Ididnotthen。Oh,they’rebloodyliarsinthenakedparishwhereIgrewaman。

  PEGEEN。Iftheyareitself,you’vehearditthesedays,I’mthinking,andyouwalkingtheworldtellingoutyourstorytoyounggirlsorold。

  CHRISTY。I’vetoldmystorynoplacetillthisnight,PegeenMike,andit’sfoolishIwashere,maybe,tobetalkingfree,butyou’redecentpeople,I’mthinking,andyourselfakindlywoman,thewayIwasn’tfearingyouatall。

  PEGEEN——[fillingasackwithstraw。]——You’vesaidthelikeofthat,maybe,ineverycotandcabinwhereyou’vemetayounggirlonyourway。

  CHRISTY——[goingovertoher,graduallyraisinghisvoice。]——I’vesaiditnowheretillthisnight,I’mtellingyou,forI’veseennonethelikeofyoutheelevenlongdaysIamwalkingtheworld,lookingoveralowditchorahighditchonmynorthormysouth,intostonyscatteredfields,orscribesofbog,whereyou’dseeyoung,limbergirls,andfineprancingwomenmakinglaughterwiththemen。

  PEGEEN。Ifyouweren’tdestroyedtravelling,you’dhaveasmuchtalkandstreeleen,I’mthinking,asOwenRoeO’SullivanorthepoetsoftheDingleBay,andI’veheardalltimesit’sthepoetsareyourlike,finefieryfellowswithgreatrageswhentheirtemper’sroused。

  CHRISTY——[drawingalittlenearertoher。]——You’veapowerofrings,Godblessyou,andwouldtherebeanyoffenceifIwasaskingareyousinglenow?

  PEGEEN。WhatwouldIwantweddingsoyoung?

  CHRISTY——[withrelief。]——We’realike,so。

  PEGEEN——[sheputssackonsettleandbeatsitup。]——Ineverkilledmyfather。I’dbeafeardtodothat,exceptIwasthelikeofyourselfwithblindragestearingmewithin,forI’mthinkingyoushouldhavehadgreattusslingwhentheendwascome。

  CHRISTY——[expandingwithdelightatthefirstconfidentialtalkhehaseverhadwithawoman。]——Wehadnotthen。Itwasahardwomanwascomeoverthehill,andifhewasalwaysacrustykindwhenhe’dahardwomansettinghimon,notthedivilhimselforhisfourfatherscouldputupwithhimatall。

  PEGEEN——[withcuriosity。]——Andisn’titagreatwonderthatonewasn’tfearingyou?

  CHRISTY——[veryconfidentially。]——UptothedayIkilledmyfather,therewasn’tapersoninIrelandknewthekindIwas,andItheredrinking,waking,eating,sleeping,aquiet,simplepoorfellowwithnomangivingmeheed。

  PEGEEN——[gettingaquiltoutofthecupboardandputtingitonthesack。]——

  Itwasthegirlsweregivingyouheedmaybe,andI’mthinkingit’smostconceityou’dhavetobegamingwiththeirlike。

  CHRISTY——[shakinghishead,withsimplicity。]Notthegirlsitself,andI

  won’ttellyoualie。Therewasn’tanyoneheedingmeinthatplacesavingonlythedumbbeastsofthefield。[Hesitsdownatfire。]

  PEGEEN——[withdisappointment。]——AndIthinkingyoushouldhavebeenlivingthelikeofakingofNorwayortheEasternworld。[Shecomesandsitsbesidehimafterplacingbreadandmugofmilkonthetable。]

  CHRISTY——[laughingpiteously。]——Thelikeofaking,isit?AndIaftertoiling,moiling,digging,dodgingfromthedawntillduskwithneverasightofjoyorsportsavingonlywhenI’dbeabroadinthedarknightpoachingrabbitsonhills,forIwasadeviltopoach,Godforgiveme,(verynaively)

  andIneargotsixmonthsforgoingwithadungforkandstabbingafish。

  PEGEEN。Andit’sthatyou’dcallsport,isit,tobeabroadinthedarknesswithyourselfalone?

  CHRISTY。Idid,Godhelpme,andthereI’dbeashappyasthesunshineofSt。

  Martin’sDay,watchingthelightpassingthenorthorthepatchesoffog,tillI’dheararabbitstartingtoscreechandI’dgorunninginthefurze。ThenwhenI’dmyfullshareI’dcomewalkingdownwhereyou’dseetheducksandgeesestretchedsleepingonthehighwayoftheroad,andbeforeI’dpassthedunghill,I’dhearhimselfsnoringout,aloudlonesomesnorehe’dbemakingalltimes,thewhilehewassleeping,andheaman’dberagingalltimes,thewhilehewaswaking,likeagaudyofficeryou’dhearcursinganddamningandswearingoaths。

  PEGEEN。ProvidenceandMercy,spareusall!

  CHRISTY。It’sthatyou’dsaysurelyifyouseenhimandheafterdrinkingforweeks,risingupinthereddawn,orbeforeitmaybe,andgoingoutintotheyardasnakedasanashtreeinthemoonofMay,andshyingclodsagainstthevisageofthestarstillhe’dputthefearofdeathintothebanbhsandthescreechingsows。

  PEGEEN。I’dbewell-nightafeardofthatladmyself,I’mthinking。Andtherewasnooneinitbutthetwoofyoualone?

  CHRISTY。Thedivilaone,thoughhe’dsonsanddaughterswalkingallgreatstatesandterritoriesoftheworld,andnotaoneofthem,tothisday,butwouldsaytheirsevencursesonhim,andtheyrousinguptoletacoughorsneeze,maybe,inthedeadnessofthenight。

  PEGEEN[noddingherhead。]——Well,youshouldhavebeenaqueerlot。I

  nevercursedmyfatherthelikeofthat,thoughI’mtwentyandmoreyearsofage。

  CHRISTY。Thenyou’dhavecursedmine,I’mtellingyou,andheamannevergavepeacetoany,savingwhenhe’dgettwomonthsorthree,orbelockedintheasylumsforbatteringpeelersorassaultingmen(withdepression)thewayitwasabitterlifeheledmetillIdidupaTuesdayandhalvehisskull。

  PEGEEN——[puttingherhandonhisshoulder。]——Well,you’llhavepeaceinthisplace,ChristyMahon,andnonetotroubleyou,andit’sneartimeafineladlikeyoushouldhaveyourgoodshareoftheearth。

  CHRISTY。It’stimesurely,andIaseemlyfellowwithgreatstrengthinmeandbraveryof……[Someoneknocks。]

  CHRISTY——[clingingtoPegeen。]——Oh,glory!it’slateforknocking,andthislastwhileI’minterrorofthepeelers,andthewalkingdead。[Knockingagain。]

  PEGEEN。Who’sthere?

  VOICE——[outside。]Me。

  PEGEEN。Who’sme?

  VOICE。TheWidowQuin。

  PEGEEN[jumpingupandgivinghimthebreadandmilk。]——Goonnowwithyoursupper,andletontobesleepy,forifshefoundyouweresuchawarranttotalk,she’dbestringinggabbletillthedawnofday。(Hetakesbreadandsitsshylywithhisbacktothedoor。)

  PEGEEN[openingdoor,withtemper。]——Whatailsyou,orwhatisityou’rewantingatthishourofthenight?

  WIDOWQUIN——[cominginastepandpeeringatChristy。]——I’maftermeetingShawnKeoghandFatherReillybelow,whotoldmeofyourcuriosityman,andtheyfearingbythistimehewasmayberoaring,rompingonyourhandswithdrink。

  PEGEEN[pointingtoChristy。]——Looknowisheroaring,andhestretchedawaydrowsywithhissupperandhismugofmilk。WalkdownandtellthattoFatherReillyandtoShaneenKeogh。

  WIDOWQUIN——[comingforward。]——I’llnotseethemagain,forI’vetheirwordtoleadthatladforwardfortolodgewithme。

  PEGEEN——[inblankamazement。]——Thisnight,isit?

  WIDOWQUIN——[goingover。]——Thisnight。\"Itisn’tfitting,\"saysthepriesteen,\"tohavehislikenesslodgingwithanorphanedgirl。\"(ToChristy。)Godsaveyou,mister!

  CHRISTY——[shyly。]——Godsaveyoukindly。

  WIDOWQUIN——[lookingathimwithhalf-amazedcuriosity。]——Well,aren’tyoualittlesmilingfellow?Itshouldhavebeengreatandbittertormentsdidrouseyourspiritstoadeedofblood。

  CHRISTY——[doubtfully。]Itshould,maybe。

  WIDOWQUIN。It’smorethan\"maybe\"I’msaying,andit’dsoftenmyhearttoseeyousittingsosimplewithyourcupandcake,andyoufittertobesayingyourcatechismthanslayingyourda。

  PEGEEN——[atcounter,washingglasses。]——There’stalkingwhenany’dseehe’sfittobeholdinghisheadhighwiththewondersoftheworld。Walkonfromthis,forI’llnothavehimtormentedandhedestroyedtravellingsinceTuesdaywasaweek。

  WIDOWQUIN——[peaceably。]We’llbewalkingsurelywhenhissupper’sdone,andyou’llfindwe’regreatcompany,youngfellow,whenit’softhelikeofyouandmeyou’dhearthepennypoetssinginginanAugustFair。

  CHRISTY——[innocently。]Didyoukillyourfather?

  PEGEEN——[contemptuously。]Shedidnot。Shehithimselfwithawornpick,andtherustedpoisondidcorrodehisbloodthewayheneveroveredit,anddiedafter。Thatwasasneakykindofmurderdidwinsmallglorywiththeboysitself。[ShecrossestoChristy’sleft。]

  WIDOWQUIN——[withgood-humour。]——Ifitdidn’t,maybeallknowsawidowwomanhasburiedherchildrenanddestroyedhermanisawisercomradeforayoungladthanagirl,thelikeofyou,who’dgohelter-skelteringafteranymanwouldletyouawinkupontheroad。

  PEGEEN——[breakingoutintowildrage。]——Andyou’llsaythat,WidowQuin,andyougaspingwiththerageyouhadracingthehillbeyondtolookonhisface。

  WIDOWQUIN——[laughingderisively。]——Me,isit?Well,FatherReillyhascutenesstodivideyounow。(ShepullsChristyup。)There’sgreattemptationinamandidslayhisda,andwe’dbestbegoing,youngfellow;soriseupandcomewithme。

  PEGEEN——[seizinghisarm。]——He’llnotstir。He’spot-boyinthisplace,andI’llnothavehimstolenoffandkidnabbedwhilehimself’sabroad。

  WIDOWQUIN。It’dbeacrazypot-boy’dlodgehimintheshebeenwhereheworksbyday,soyou’dhavearighttocomeon,youngfellow,tillyouseemylittlehouseen,aperchoffontherisinghill。

  PEGEEN。Waittillmorning,ChristyMahon。Waittillyoulayeyesonherleakythatchisgrowingmorepastureforherbuckgoatthanhersquareoffields,andshewithoutatrampitselftokeepinorderherplaceatall。

  WIDOWQUIN。Whenyouseemecontrivinginmylittlegardens,ChristyMahon,you’llsweartheLordGodformedmetobelivinglone,andthatthereisn’tmymatchinMayoforthatching,ormowing,orshearingasheep。

  PEGEEN——[withnoisyscorn。]——It’struetheLordGodformedyoutocontriveindeed。Doesn’ttheworldknowyourearedablacklambatyourownbreast,sothattheLordBishopofConnaughtfelttheelementsofaChristian,andheeatingitafterinakidneystew?Doesn’ttheworldknowyou’vebeenseenshavingthefoxyskipperfromFranceforathreepennybitandasopofgrasstobaccowouldwringtheliverfromamountaingoatyou’dmeetleapingthehills?

  WIDOWQUIN——[withamusement。]——Doyouhearhernow,youngfellow?Doyouhearthewayshe’llberatingatyourownselfwhenaweekisby?

  PEGEEN——[toChristy。]——Don’theedher。Tellhertogointoherpigstyandnotplagueushere。

  WIDOWQUIN。I’mgoing;buthe’llcomewithme。

  PEGEEN——[shakinghim。]——Areyoudumb,youngfellow?

  CHRISTY——[timidly,toWidowQuin。]——Godincreaseyou;butI’mpot-boyinthisplace,andit’shereI’dlieferstay。

  PEGEEN——[triumphantly。]Nowyouhaveheardhim,andgoonfromthis。

  WIDOWQUIN——[lookingroundtheroom。]——It’slonesomethishourcrossingthehill,andifhewon’tcomealongwithme,I’dhavearightmaybetostopthisnightwithyourselves。Letmestretchoutonthesettle,PegeenMike;

  andhimselfcanliebythehearth。

  PEGEEN——[shortandfiercely。]——Faith,Iwon’t。QuitofforIwillsendyounow。

  WIDOWQUIN——[gatheringhershawlup。]——Well,it’saterrortobeagedascore。(ToChristy。)Godblessyounow,youngfellow,andletyoubewary,orthere’srighttormentwillawaityouhereifyougoromancingwithherlike,andshewaitingonly,astheybademesay,onasheepskinparchmenttobewedwithShawnKeoghofKillakeen。

  CHRISTY——[goingtoPegeenassheboltsthedoor。]——What’sthatshe’saftersaying?

  PEGEEN。Liesandblather,you’venocalltomind。Well,isn’tShawnKeoghanimpudentfellowtosendupspyingonme?WaittillIlayhandsonhim。Lethimwait,I’msaying。

  CHRISTY。Andyou’renotweddinghimatall?

  PEGEEN。Iwouldn’twedhimifabishopcamewalkingfortojoinushere。

  CHRISTY。ThatGodinglorymaybethankedforthat。

  PEGEEN。There’syourbednow。I’veputaquiltuponyouI’mafterquiltingawhilesincewithmyowntwohands,andyou’dbeststretchoutnowforyoursleep,andmayGodgiveyouagoodresttillIcallyouinthemorningwhenthecockswillcrow。

  CHRISTY——[asshegoestoinnerroom。]——MayGodandMaryandSt。Patrickblessyouandrewardyou,foryourkindlytalk。(Sheshutsthedoorbehindher。Hesettleshisbedslowly,feelingthequiltwithimmensesatisfaction。]

  ——Well,it’sacleanbedandsoftwithit,andit’sgreatluckandcompanyI’vewonmeintheendoftime——twofinewomenfightingforthelikesofme——tillI’mthinkingthisnightwasn’tIafoolishfellownottokillmyfatherintheyearsgoneby。

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