CURTAIN
ACTII。
SCENE，[asbefore。Brilliantmorninglight。Christy，lookingbrightandcheerful，iscleaningagirl’sboots。]
CHRISTY——[tohimself，countingjugsondresser。]——Halfahundredbeyond。
Tenthere。Ascorethat’sabove。Eightyjugs。Sixcupsandabrokenone。
Twoplates。Apowerofglasses。Bottles，aschool-master’dbehardsettocount，andenoughinthem，I’mthinking，todrunkenallthewealthandwisdomoftheCountyClare。（Heputsdownthebootcarefully。）There’sherbootsnow，niceanddecentforhereveninguse，andisn’titgrandbrushesshehas？
（Heputsthemdownandgoesbydegreestothelooking-glass。）Well，this’dbeafineplacetobemywholelifetalkingoutwithswearingChristians，inplaceofmyolddogsandcat，andIstalkingaround，smokingmypipeanddrinkingmyfill，andneveraday’sworkbutdrawingacorkanoddtime，orwipingaglass，orrinsingoutashinytumblerforadecentman。（Hetakesthelooking-glassfromthewallandputsitonthebackofachair；thensitsdowninfrontofitandbeginswashinghisface。）Didn’tIknowrightlyIwashandsome，thoughitwasthedivil’sownmirrorwehadbeyond，wouldtwistasquintacrossanangel’sbrow；andI’llbegrowingfinefromthisday，thewayI’llhaveasoftlovelyskinonmeandwon’tbethelikeoftheclumsyyoungfellowsdobeploughingalltimesintheearthanddung。（Hestarts。）Isshecomingagain？（Helooksout。）Strangergirls。Godhelpme，where’llIhidemyselfawayandmylongnecknackedtotheworld？（Helooksout。）I’dbestgototheroommaybetillI’mdressedagain。[Hegathersuphiscoatandthelooking-glass，andrunsintotheinnerroom。Thedoorispushedopen，andSusanBradylooksin，andknocksondoor。]
SUSAN。There’snobodyinit。[Knocksagain。]
NELLY——[pushingherinandfollowingher，withHonorBlakeandSaraTansey。]
It’dbeearlyforthembothtobeoutwalkingthehill。
SUSAN。I’mthinkingShawnKeoghwasmakinggameofusandthere’snosuchmaninitatall。
HONOR——[pointingtostrawandquilt。]——Lookatthat。He’sbeensleepingthereinthenight。Well，it’llbeahardcaseifhe’sgoneoffnow，thewaywe’llneversetoureyesonamankilledhisfather，andweafterrisingearlyanddestroyingourselvesrunningfastonthehill。
NELLY。Areyouthinkingthem’shisboots？
SARA——[takingthemup。]——Iftheyare，thereshouldbehisfather’strackonthem。Didyouneverreadinthepapersthewaymurderedmendobleedanddrip？
SUSAN。Isthatbloodthere，SaraTansey？
SARAH——[smellingit。]——That’sbogwater，I’mthinking，butit’shisowntheyaresurely，forIneverseenthelikeofthemforwhitymud，andredmud，andturfonthem，andthefinesandsofthesea。Thatman’sbeenwalking，I’mtellingyou。[Shegoesdownright，puttingononeofhisboots。]
SUSAN——[goingtowindow。]——Maybehe’sstolenofftoBelmulletwiththebootsofMichaelJames，andyou’dhavearightsotofollowafterhim，SaraTansey，andyoutheoneyokedtheasscartanddrovetenmilestosetyoureyesonthemanbittheyellowlady’snostrilonthenorthernshore。[Shelooksout。]
SARA——[runningtowindowwithonebooton。]——Don’tbetalking，andwefooledto-day。（Puttingonotherboot。）There’sapairdofitmewell，andI’llbekeepingthemforwalkingtothepriest，whenyou’dbeashamedthisplace，goingupwinterandsummerwithnothingworthwhiletoconfessatall。
HONOR——[whohasbeenlisteningatthedoor。]——Whisht！there’ssomeoneinsidetheroom。（Shepushesdoorachinkopen。）It’saman。[Sarakicksoffbootsandputsthemwheretheywere。Theyallstandinalinelookingthroughchink。]
SARA。I’llcallhim。Mister！Mister！（Heputsinhishead。）IsPegeenwithin？
CHRISTY——[cominginasmeekasamouse，withthelooking-glassheldbehindhisback。]——She’saboveonthecnuceen，seekingthenannygoats，thewayshe’dhaveasupofgoat’smilkfortocolourmytea。
SARA。Andaskingyourpardon，isityou’sthemankilledhisfather？
CHRISTY——[sidlingtowardthenailwheretheglasswashanging。]——Iam，Godhelpme！
SARA——[takingeggsshehasbrought。]——Thenmythousandwelcomestoyou，andI’verunupwithabraceofduck’seggsforyourfoodtoday。Pegeen’sducksisnouse，butthesearetherealrichsort。Holdoutyourhandandyou’llseeit’snolieI’mtellingyou。
CHRISTY——[comingforwardshyly，andholdingouthislefthand。]——They’reagreatandweightysize。
SUSAN。AndIrunupwithapatofbutter，forit’dbeapoorthingtohaveyoueatingyourspudsdry，andyouafterrunningagreatwaysinceyoudiddestroyyourda。
CHRISTY。Thankyoukindly。
HONOR。AndIbroughtyoualittlecutofcake，foryoushouldhaveathinstomachonyou，andyouthatlengthwalkingtheworld。
NELLY。AndIbroughtyoualittlelayingpullet——boiledandallsheis——
wascrushedatthefallofnightbythecurate’scar。Feelthefatofthatbreast，Mister。
CHRISTY。It’sbursting，surely。[Hefeelsitwiththebackofhishand，inwhichheholdsthepresents。]
SARA。Willyoupinchit？Isyourrighthandtoosacredfortouseatall？
（Sheslipsroundbehindhim。）It’saglasshehas。Well，Ineverseentothisdayamanwithalooking-glassheldtohisback。Themthatkillstheirfathersisavainlotsurely。[Girlsgiggle。]
CHRISTY——[smilinginnocentlyandpilingpresentsonglass。]——I’mverythankfultoyouallto-day……
WIDOWQUIN——[cominginquickly，atdoor。]——SaraTansey，SusanBrady，HonorBlake！Whatingloryhasyouhereatthishourofday？
GIRLS——[giggling。]That’sthemankilledhisfather。
WIDOWQUIN——[comingtothem。]——Iknowwellit’stheman；andI’mafterputtinghimdowninthesportsbelowforracing，leaping，pitching，andtheLordknowswhat。
SARA——[exuberantly。]That’sright，WidowQuin。I’llbetmydowrythathe’lllicktheworld。
WIDOWQUIN。Ifyouwill，you’dhavearighttohavehimfreshandnourishedinplaceofnursingafeast。（Takingpresents。）Areyoufastingorfed，youngfellow？
CHRISTY。Fasting，ifyouplease。
WIDOWQUIN——[loudly。]Well，you’rethelot。Stirupnowandgivehimhisbreakfast。（ToChristy。）Comeheretome（sheputshimonbenchbesideherwhilethegirlsmaketeaandgethisbreakfast）andletyoutellusyourstorybeforePegeenwillcome，inplaceofgrinningyourearsofflikethemoonofMay。
CHRISTY——[beginningtobepleased。]——It’salongstory；you’dbedestroyedlistening。
WIDOWQUIN。Don’tbelettingontobeshy，afine，gamey，treacherousladthelikeofyou。Wasitinyourhousebeyondyoucrackedhisskull？
CHRISTY——[shybutflattered。]——Itwasnot。Wewerediggingspudsinhiscold，sloping，stony，divil’spatchofafield。
WIDOWQUIN。Andyouwentaskingmoneyofhim，ormakingtalkofgettingawifewoulddrivehimfromhisfarm？
CHRISTY。Ididnot，then；butthereIwas，digginganddigging，and\"Yousquintingidiot，\"sayshe，\"letyouwalkdownnowandtellthepriestyou’llwedtheWidowCaseyinascoreofdays。\"
WIDOWQUIN。Andwhatkindwasshe？
CHRISTY——[withhorror。]——Awalkingterrorfrombeyondthehills，andshetwoscoreandfiveyears，andtwohundredweightsandfivepoundsintheweighingscales，withalimpinglegonher，andablindedeye，andsheawomanofnotedmisbehaviourwiththeoldandyoung。
GIRLS——[clusteringroundhim，servinghim。]——Glorybe。
WIDOWQUIN。Andwhatdidhewantdrivingyoutowedwithher？[Shetakesabitofthechicken。]
CHRISTY——[eatingwithgrowingsatisfaction。]HewaslettingonIwaswantingaprotectorfromtheharshnessoftheworld，andhewithoutathoughtthewholewhilebuthowhe’dhaveherhuttoliveinandhergoldtodrink。
WIDOWQUIN。There’smaybeworsethanadryhearthandawidowwomanandyourglassatnight。Soyouhithimthen？
CHRISTY——[gettingalmostexcited。]——Ididnot。\"Iwon’twedher，\"saysI，\"whenallknowshedidsucklemeforsixweekswhenIcameintotheworld，andsheahagthisdaywithatongueonherhasthecrowsandseabirdsscattered，thewaytheywouldn’tcastashadowonhergardenwiththedreadofhercurse。\"
WIDOWQUIN——[teasingly。]Thatoneshouldberightcompany。
SARA——[eagerly。]Don’tmindher。Didyoukillhimthen？
CHRISTY。\"She’stoogoodforthelikeofyou，\"sayshe，\"andgoonnoworI’llflattenyououtlikeacrawlingbeasthaspassedunderadray。\"\"YouwillnotifIcanhelpit，\"saysI。\"Goon，\"sayshe，\"orI’llhavethedivilmakinggartersofyourlimbstonight。\"\"YouwillnotifIcanhelpit，\"saysI。[Hesitsup，brandishinghismug。]
SARA。Youwererightsurely。
CHRISTY——[impressively。]Withthatthesuncameoutbetweenthecloudandthehill，anditshininggreeninmyface。\"Godhavemercyonyoursoul，\"
sayshe，liftingascythe；\"oronyourown，\"saysI，raisingtheloy。
SUSAN。That’sagrandstory。
HONOR。Hetellsitlovely。
CHRISTY——[flatteredandconfident，wavingbone。]——Hegaveadrivewiththescythe，andIgavealeptotheeast。ThenIturnedaroundwithmybacktothenorth，andIhitablowontheridgeofhisskull，laidhimstretchedout，andhesplittotheknobofhisgullet。[HeraisesthechickenbonetohisAdam’sapple。
GIRLS——[together。]Well，you’reamarvel！Oh，Godblessyou！You’retheladsurely！
SUSAN。I’mthinkingtheLordGodsenthimthisroadtomakeasecondhusbandtotheWidowQuin，andshewithagreatyearningtobewedded，thoughalldreadherhere。Lifthimonherknee，SaraTansey。
WIDOWQUIN。Don’tteasehim。
SARA——[goingovertodresserandcounterveryquickly，andgettingtwoglassesandporter。]——You’reheroessurely，andletyoudrinkasupeenwithyourarmslinkedliketheoutlandishloversinthesailor’ssong。（Shelinkstheirarmsandgivesthemtheglasses。）Therenow。Drinkahealthtothewondersofthewesternworld，thepirates，preachers，poteen-makers，withthejobbingjockies；parchingpeelers，andthejuriesfilltheirstomachssellingjudgmentsoftheEnglishlaw。[Brandishingthebottle。]
WIDOWQUIN。That’sarighttoast，SaraTansey。NowChristy。[Theydrinkwiththeirarmslinked，hedrinkingwithhislefthand，shewithherright。Astheyaredrinking，PegeenMikecomesinwithamilkcanandstandsaghast。
TheyallspringawayfromChristy。Hegoesdownleft。WidowQuinremainsseated。]
PEGEEN——[angrily，toSara。]——Whatisityou’rewanting？
SARA——[twistingherapron。]——Anounceoftobacco。
PEGEEN。Haveyoutuppence？
SARA。I’veforgottenmypurse。
PEGEEN。Thenyou’dbestbegettingitandnotfoolingushere。（TotheWidowQuin，withmoreelaboratescorn。）Andwhatisityou’rewanting，WidowQuin？
WIDOWQUIN——[insolently。]Apenn’orthofstarch。
PEGEEN——[breakingout。]——Andyouwithoutawhiteshiftorashirtinyourwholefamilysincethedryingoftheflood。I’venostarchforthelikeofyou，andletyouwalkonnowtoKillamuck。
WIDOWQUIN——[turningtoChristy，asshegoesoutwiththegirls。]——Well，you’remightyhuffythisday，PegeenMike，and，youyoungfellow，letyounotforgetthesportsandracingwhenthenoonisby。[Theygoout。]
PEGEEN——[imperiously。]Flingoutthatrubbishandputthemcupsaway。
（Christytidiesawayingreathaste）。Shoveinthebenchbythewall。（Hedoesso。）Andhangthatglassonthenail。Whatdisturbeditatall？
CHRISTY——[verymeekly。]——Iwasmakingmyselfdecentonly，andthisafinecountryforyounglovelygirls。
PEGEEN——[sharply。]Whishtyourtalkingofgirls。[Goestocounterright。]
CHRISTY。Wouldn’tanywishtobedecentinaplace……
PEGEEN。WhishtI’msaying。
CHRISTY——[looksatherfaceforamomentwithgreatmisgivings，thenasalasteffort，takesupaloy，andgoestowardsher，withfeignedassurance）。——
ItwaswithaloythelikeofthatIkilledmyfather。
PEGEEN——[stillsharply。]——You’vetoldmethatstorysixtimessincethedawnofday。
CHRISTY——[reproachfully。]It’saqueerthingyouwouldn’tcaretobehearingitandthemgirlsafterwalkingfourmilestobelisteningtomenow。
PEGEEN——[turningroundastonished。]——Fourmiles。
CHRISTY——[apologetically。]Didn’thimselfsaytherewereonlyfourbonafideslivingintheplace？
PEGEEN。It’sbonafidesbytheroadtheyare，butthatlotcameovertheriverleppingthestones。It’snotthreepercheswhenyougolikethat，andI
wasdownthismorninglookingonthepapersthepost-boydoeshaveinhisbag。
（Withmeaningandemphasis。）Fortherewasgreatnewsthisday，ChristopherMahon。[Shegoesintoroomleft。]
CHRISTY——[suspiciously。]Isitnewsofmymurder？
PEGEEN——[inside。]Murder，indeed。
CHRISTY——[loudly。]Amurderedda？
PEGEEN[cominginagainandcrossingright。]——Therewasnot，butastoryfilledhalfapageofthehangingofaman。Ah，thatshouldbeafearfulend，youngfellow，anditworstofallforamanwhodestroyedhisda，forthelikeofhimwouldgetsmallmercies，andwhenit’sdeadheis，they’dputhiminanarrowgrave，withcheapsackingwrappinghimround，andpourdownquicklimeonhishead，thewayyou’dseeawomanpouringanyfrish-frashfromacup。
CHRISTY——[verymiserably。]——Oh，Godhelpme。AreyouthinkingI’msafe？
Youweresayingatthefallofnight，IwasshutofjeopardyandIherewithyourselves。
PEGEEN——[severely。]You’llbeshutofjeopardynoplaceifyougotalkingwithapackofwildgirlsthelikeofthemdobewalkingabroadwiththepeelers，talkingwhispersatthefallofnight。
CHRISTY——[withterror。]——Andyou’rethinkingthey’dtell？
PEGEEN——[withmocksympathy。]——Whoknows，Godhelpyou。
CHRISTY——[loudly。]Whatjoywouldtheyhavetobringhangingtothelikesofme？
PEGEEN。It’squeerjoystheyhave，andwhoknowsthethingthey’ddo，ifit’dmakethegreenstonescryitselftothinkofyouswayingandswigglingatthebuttofarope，andyouwithafine，stoutneck，Godblessyou！thewayyou’dbeahalfanhour，ingreatanguish，gettingyourdeath。
CHRISTY——[gettinghisbootsandputtingthemon。]——Ifthere’sthatterrorofthem，it’dbebest，maybe，IwentonwanderinglikeEsauorCainandAbelonthesidesofNeifinortheErrisplain。
PEGEEN[beginningtoplaywithhim。]——Itwould，maybe，forI’veheardtheCircuitJudgesthisplaceisaheartlesscrew。
CHRISTY——[bitterly。]It’smorethanJudgesthisplaceisaheartlesscrew。
（Lookingupather。）Andisn’titapoorthingtobestartingagainandIalonesomefellowwillbelookingoutonwomenandgirlsthewaytheneedyfallenspiritsdobelookingontheLord？
PEGEEN。Whatcallhaveyoutobethatlonesomewhenthere’spoorgirlswalkingMayointheirthousandsnow？
CHRISTY——[grimly。]It’swellyouknowwhatcallIhave。It’swellyouknowit’salonesomethingtobepassingsmalltownswiththelightsshiningsidewayswhenthenightisdown，orgoinginstrangeplaceswithadognosingbeforeyouandadognosingbehind，ordrawntothecitieswhereyou’dhearavoicekissingandtalkingdeeploveineveryshadowoftheditch，andyoupassingonwithanempty，hungrystomachfailingfromyourheart。
PEGEEN。I’mthinkingyou’reanoddman，ChristyMahon。TheoddestwalkingfellowIeversetmyeyesontothishourto-day。
CHRISTY。Whatwouldanybebutoddmenandtheylivinglonesomeintheworld？
PEGEEN。I’mnotodd，andI’mmywholelifewithmyfatheronly。
CHRISTY——[withinfiniteadmiration。]——Howwouldalovelyhandsomewomanthelikeofyoubelonesomewhenallmenshouldbethrongingaroundtohearthesweetnessofyourvoice，andthelittleinfantchildrenshouldbepesteringyourstepsI’mthinking，andyouwalkingtheroads。
PEGEEN。I’mhardsettoknowwhatwayacoaxingfellowthelikeofyourselfshouldbelonesomeeither。
CHRISTY。Coaxing？
PEGEEN。Wouldyouhavemethinkamannevertalkedwiththegirlswouldhavethewordsyou’vespokento-day？It’sonlylettingonyouaretobelonesome，thewayyou’dgetaroundmenow。
CHRISTY。IwishtoGodIwaslettingon；butIwaslonesomealltimes，andbornlonesome，I’mthinking，asthemoonofdawn。[Goingtodoor。]
PEGEEN——[puzzledbyhistalk。]——Well，it’sastoryI’mnotunderstandingatallwhyyou’dbeworsethananother，ChristyMahon，andyouafineladwiththegreatsavagerytodestroyyourda。
CHRISTY。It’slittleI’munderstandingmyself，savingonlythatmyheart’sscaldedthisday，andIgoingoffstretchingouttheearthbetweenus，thewayI’llnotbewakingnearyouanotherdawnoftheyeartillthetwoofusdoarisetohopeorjudgmentwiththesaintsofGod，andnowI’dbestbegoingwithmywattleinmyhand，forhangingisapoorthing（turningtogo），andit’slittlewelcomeonlyisleftmeinthishouseto-day。
PEGEEN——[sharply。]Christy！（Heturnsround。）Comeheretome。（Hegoestowardsher。）Laydownthatswitchandthrowsomesodsonthefire。You’repot-boyinthisplace，andI’llnothaveyoumitchofffromusnow。
CHRISTY。YouweresayingI’dbehangedifIstay。
PEGEEN——[quitekindlyatlast。]——I’maftergoingdownandreadingthefearfulcrimesofIrelandfortwoweeksorthree，andtherewasn’tawordofyourmurder。（Gettingupandgoingovertothecounter。）They’velikelynotfoundthebody。You’resafesowithourselves。
CHRISTY——[astonished，slowly。]——It’smakinggameofmeyouwere（followingherwithfearfuljoy），andIcanstayso，workingatyourside，andInotlonesomefromthismortalday。
PEGEEN。What’stohinderyoufromstaying，exceptthewidowwomanortheyounggirlswouldinveigleyouoff？
CHRISTY——[withrapture。]——AndI’llhaveyourwordsfromthisdayfillingmyears，andthatlookiscomeuponyoumeetingmytwoeyes，andIwatchingyouloafingaroundinthewarmsun，orrinsingyourankleswhenthenightiscome。
PEGEEN——[kindly，butalittleembarrassed。]I’mthinkingyou’llbealoyalyoungladtohaveworkingaround，andifyouvexedmeawhilesincewithyourleaguingwiththegirls，Iwouldn’tgiveathraneenforaladhadn’tamightyspiritinhimandagameyheart。[ShawnKeoghrunsincarryingacleeveonhisback，followedbytheWidowQuin。]
SHAWN——[toPegeen。]——Iwaspassingbelow，andIseenyourmountainysheepeatingcabbagesinJimmy’sfield。Runuporthey’llbeburstingsurely。
PEGEEN。Oh，Godmendthem！[Sheputsashawloverherheadandrunsout。]
CHRISTY——[lookingfromonetotheother。Stillinhighspirits。]——I’dbestgotoheraidmaybe。I’mhandywithewes。
WIDOWQUIN——[closingthedoor。]——Shecandothatmuch，andthereisShaneenhaslongspeechesfortotellyounow。[Shesitsdownwithanamusedsmile。]
SHAWN——[takingsomethingfromhispocketandofferingittoChristy。]——Doyouseethat，mister？
CHRISTY——[lookingatit。]——ThehalfofatickettotheWesternStates！
SHAWN——[tremblingwithanxiety。]——I’llgiveittoyouandmynewhat（pullingitoutofhamper）；andmybreecheswiththedoubleseat（pullingitoff）；andmynewcoatiswovenfromtheblackestshearingsforthreemilesaround（givinghimthecoat）；I’llgiveyouthewholeofthem，andmyblessing，andtheblessingofFatherReillyitself，maybe，ifyou’llquitfromthisandleaveusinthepeacewehadtilllastnightatthefallofdark。
CHRISTY——[withanewarrogance。]——Andforwhatisityou’rewantingtogetshutofme？
SHAWN——[lookingtotheWidowforhelp。]——I’mapoorscholarwithmiddlingfacultiestocoinalie，soI’lltellyouthetruth，ChristyMahon。I’mweddingwithPegeenbeyond，andIdon’tthinkwellofhavingacleverfearlessmanthelikeofyoudwellinginherhouse。
CHRISTY——[almostpugnaciously。]——Andyou’dbeusingbriberyfortobanishme？
SHAWN——[inanimploringvoice。]——Letyounottakeitbadly，misterhoney，isn’tbeyondthebestplaceforyouwhereyou’llhavegoldenchainsandshinycoatsandyouridinguponhunterswiththeladiesoftheland。[HemakesaneagersigntotheWidowQuintocometohelphim。]
WIDOWQUIN——[comingover。]——It’strueforhim，andyou’dbestquitoffandnothavethatpoorgirlsettinghermindonyou，forthere’sShaneenthinksshewouldn’tsuityouthoughallissayingthatshe’llwedyounow。
[Christybeamswithdelight。]
SHAWN——[interrifiedearnest。]——Shewouldn’tsuityou，andshewiththedivil’sowntemperthewayyou’dbestranglingoneanotherinascoreofdays。
（Hemakesthemovementofstranglingwithhishands。）It’sthelikeofmeonlythatshe’sfitfor，aquietsimplefellowwouldn’traiseahanduponherifshescratcheditself。
WIDOWQUIN——[puttingShawn’shatonChristy。]——Fitthemclothesonyouanyhow，youngfellow，andhe’dmaybeloanthemtoyouforthesports。
（Pushinghimtowardsinnerdoor。）Fitthemonandyoucangiveyouranswerwhenyouhavethemtried。
CHRISTY——[beaming，delightedwiththeclothes。]——Iwillthen。I’dlikeherselftoseemeinthemtweedsandhat。[Hegoesintoroomandshutsthedoor。]
SHAWN——[ingreatanxiety。]——He’dlikeherselftoseethem。He’llnotleaveus，WidowQuin。He’sascoreofdivilsinhimthewayit’swellnighcertainhewillwedPegeen。
WIDOWQUIN——[jeeringly。]It’strueallgirlsarefondofcourageanddohatethelikeofyou。
SHAWN——[walkingaboutindesperation。]——Oh，WidowQuin，what’llIbedoingnow？I’dinformagainhim，buthe’dburstfromKilmainhamandhe’dbesureandcertaintodestroyme。IfIwasn’tsoGod-fearing，I’dnearhavecouragetocomebehindhimandrunapikeintohisside。Oh，it’sahardcasetobeanorphanandnottohaveyourfatherthatyou’reusedto，andyou’deasykillandmakeyourselfaherointhesightofall。（Cominguptoher。）Oh，WidowQuin，willyoufindmesomecontrivancewhenI’vepromisedyouaewe？
WIDOWQUIN。Aewe’sasmallthing，butwhatwouldyougivemeifIdidwedhimanddidsaveyouso？
SHAWN——[withastonishment。]You？
WIDOWQUIN。Aye。Wouldyougivemetheredcowyouhaveandthemountainyram，andtherightofwayacrossyourryepath，andaloadofdungatMichaelmas，andturbaryuponthewesternhill？
SHAWN——[radiantwithhope。]——Iwouldsurely，andI’dgiveyouthewedding-ringIhave，andtheloanofanewsuit，thewayyou’dhavehimdecentonthewedding-day。I’dgiveyoutwokidsforyourdinner，andagallonofpoteen，andI’dcallthepiperonthelongcartoyourweddingfromCrossmolinaorfromBallina。I’dgiveyou……
WIDOWQUIN。That’lldoso，andletyouwhisht，forhe’scomingnowagain。
[Christycomesinverynattyinthenewclothes。WidowQuingoestohimadmiringly。]
WIDOWQUIN。Ifyouseenyourselfnow，I’mthinkingyou’dbetooproudtospeaktousatall，andit’dbeapitysurelytohaveyourlikesailingfromMayototheWesternWorld。
CHRISTY——[asproudasapeacock。]——I’mnotgoing。Ifthisisapoorplaceitself，I’llmakemyselfcontentedtobelodginghere。[WidowQuinmakesasigntoShawntoleavethem。]
SHAWN。Well，I’mgoingmeasuringtherace-coursewhilethetideislow，soI’llleaveyouthegarmentsandmyblessingforthesportsto-day。Godblessyou！[Hewrigglesout。]
WIDOWQUIN——[admiringChristy。]——Well，you’remightyspruce，youngfellow。
Sitdownnowwhileyou’requiettillyoutalkwithme。
CHRISTY——[swaggering。]I’mgoingabroadonthehillsidefortoseekPegeen。
WIDOWQUIN。You’llhavetimeandplentyfortoseekPegeen，andyouheardmesayingatthefallofnightthetwoofusshouldbegreatcompany。
CHRISTY。FromthisoutI’llhavenowantofcompanywhenallsortsisbringingmetheirfoodandclothing（heswaggerstothedoor，tighteninghisbelt），thewaythey’dsettheireyesuponagallantorphanclefthisfatherwithoneblowtothebreechesbelt。（Heopensdoor，thenstaggersback。）
Saintsofglory！Holyangelsfromthethroneoflight！
WIDOWQUIN——[goingover。]——Whatailsyou？
CHRISTY。It’sthewalkingspiritofmymurderedda？
WIDOWQUIN——[lookingout。]——Isitthattramper？
CHRISTY——[wildly。]Where’llIhidemypoorbodyfromthatghostofhell？
[Thedoorispushedopen，andoldMahonappearsonthreshold。Christydartsinbehinddoor。]
WIDOWQUIN——[ingreatamusement。]——Codsaveyou，mypoorman。
MAHON——[gruffly。]Didyouseeayoungladpassingthiswayintheearlymorningorthefallofnight？
WIDOWQUIN。You’reaqueerkindtowalkinnotsalutingatall。
MAHON。Didyouseetheyounglad？
WIDOWQUIN——[stiffly。]Whatkindwashe？
MAHON。Anuglyyoungstreelerwithamurderousgobonhim，andalittleswitchinhishand。Imetatramperseenhimcomingthiswayatthefallofnight。
WIDOWQUIN。There’sharvesthundredsdobepassingthesedaysfortheSligoboat。Forwhatisityou’rewantinghim，mypoorman？
MAHON。Iwanttodestroyhimforbreakingtheheadonmewiththecloutofaloy。（Hetakesoffabighat，andshowshisheadinamassofbandagesandplaster，withsomepride。）Itwashedidthat，andamn’tIagreatwondertothinkI’vetracedhimtendayswiththatrentinmycrown？
WIDOWQUIN——[takinghisheadinbothhandsandexaminingitwithextremedelight。]——Thatwasagreatblow。Andwhohityou？Arobbermaybe？
MAHON。Itwasmyownsonhitme，andhethedivilarobber，oranythingelse，butadirty，stutteringlout。
WIDOW——[lettinggohisskullandwipingherhandsinherapron。]——You’dbestbewaryofamortifiedscalp，Ithinktheycallit，leppingaroundwiththatwoundinthesplendourofthesun。Itwasabadblowsurely，andyoushouldhavevexedhimfearfultomakehimstrikethatgashinhisda。
MAHON。Isitme？
WIDOWQUIN——[amusingherself。]——Aye。Andisn’titagreatshamewhentheoldandhardeneddotormenttheyoung？
MAHON——[raging。]Tormenthimisit？AndIafterholdingoutwiththepatienceofamartyredsainttillthere’snothingbutdestructionon，andI’mdrivenoutinmyoldagewithnonetoaidme。
WIDOWQUIN——[greatlyamused。]——It’sasacredwonderthewaythatwickednesswillspoilaman。
MAHON。Mywickedness，isit？Amn’tIaftersayingitishimselfhasmedestroyed，andhealiaronwalls，atalkeroffolly，amanyou’dseestretchedthehalfofthedayinthebrownfernswithhisbellytothesun。
WIDOWQUIN。Notworkingatall？
MAHON。Thedivilawork，orifhediditself，you’dseehimraisingupahaystacklikethestalkofarush，ordrivingourlastcowtillhebrokeherlegatthehip，andwhenhewasn’tatthathe’dbefoolingoverlittlebirdshehad——finchesandfelts——ormakingmugsathisownselfinthebitofglasswehadhungonthewall。
WIDOWQUIN——[lookingatChristy。]——Whatwaywashesofoolish？Itwasrunningwildafterthegirlsmaybe？
MAHON——[withashoutofderision。]——Runningwild，isit？Ifheseenaredpetticoatcomingswingingoverthehill，he’dbeofftohideinthesticks，andyou’dseehimshootingouthissheep’seyesbetweenthelittletwigsandtheleaves，andhistwoearsrisinglikeaharelookingoutthroughagap。
Girls，indeed！
WIDOWQUIN。Itwasdrinkmaybe？
MAHON。Andheapoorfellowwouldgetdrunkonthesmellofapint。He’daqueerrottenstomach，I’mtellingyou，andwhenIgavehimthreepullsfrommypipeawhilesince，hewastakenwithcontortionstillIhadtosendhimintheasscarttothefemales’nurse。
WIDOWQUIN——[claspingherhands。]——Well，Inevertillthisdayheardtellofamanthelikeofthat！
MAHON。I’dtakeamightyoathyoudidn’tsurely，andwasn’thethelaughingjokeofeveryfemalewomanwherefourbaroniesmeet，thewaythegirlswouldstoptheirweedingiftheyseenhimcomingtheroadtoletaroarathim，andcallhimthelooneyofMahon’s。
WIDOWQUIN。I’dgivetheworldandalltoseethelikeofhim。Whatkindwashe？
MAHON。Asmalllowfellow。
WIDOWQUIN。Anddark？
MAHON。Darkanddirty。
WIDOWQUIN——[considering。]I’mthinkingIseenhim。
MAHON——[eagerly。]Anuglyyoungblackguard。
WIDOWQUIN。Ahideous，fearfulvillain，andthespitofyou。
MAHON。Whatwayishefled？
WIDOWQUIN。Goneoverthehillstocatchacoastingsteamertothenorthorsouth。
MAHON。CouldIpulluponhimnow？
WIDOWQUIN。Ifyou’llcrossthesandsbelowwherethetideisout，you’llbeinitassoonashimself，forhehadtogoroundtenmilesbythetopofthebay。（Shepointstothedoor）。Strikedownbytheheadbeyondandthenfollowontheroadwaytothenorthandeast。[Mahongoesabruptly。]
WIDOWQUIN——[shoutingafterhim。]——Letyougivehimagoodvengeancewhenyoucomeupwithhim，butdon’tputyourselfinthepowerofthelaw，forit’dbeapoorthingtoseeajudgeinhisblackcapreadingouthissentenceonacivilwarriorthelikeofyou。[SheswingsthedoortoandlooksatChristy，whoiscoweringinterror，foramoment，thensheburstsintoalaugh。]
WIDOWQUIN。Well，you’rethewalkingPlayboyoftheWesternWorld，andthat’sthepoormanyouhaddividedtohisbreechesbelt。
CHRISTY——[lookingout：then，toher。]——What’llPegeensaywhenshehearsthatstory？What’llshebesayingtomenow？
WIDOWQUIN。She’llknocktheheadofyou，I’mthinking，anddriveyoufromthedoor。Godhelphertobetakingyouforawonder，andyoualittleschemermakingupthestoryyoudestroyedyourda。
CHRISTY——[turningtothedoor，nearlyspeechlesswithrage，halftohimself。]——Tobelettingonhewasdead，andcomingbacktohislife，andfollowingaftermelikeanoldweazeltracingarat，andcominginherelayingdesolationbetweenmyownselfandthefinewomenofIreland，andheakindofcarcasethatyou’dflinguponthesea……
WIDOWQUIN——[moresoberly。]——There’stalkingforaman’soneonlyson。
CHRISTY——[breakingout。]——Hisoneson，isit？MayImeethimwithonetoothanditaching，andoneeyetobeseeingsevenandseventydivilsinthetwistsoftheroad，andoneoldtimberlegonhimtolimpintothescaldinggrave。（Lookingout。）Thereheisnowcrossingthestrands，andthattheLordGodwouldsendahighwavetowashhimfromtheworld。
WIDOWQUIN——[scandalised。]Haveyounoshame？（puttingherhandonhisshoulderandturninghimround。）Whatailsyou？Nearcrying，isit？
CHRISTY——[indespairandgrief。]——Amn’tIafterseeingthelove-lightofthestarofknowledgeshiningfromherbrow，andhearingwordswouldputyouthinkingontheholyBrigidspeakingtotheinfantsaints，andnowshe’llbeturningagain，andspeakinghardwordstome，likeanoldwomanwithaspavindyassshe’dhave，urgingonahill。
WIDOWQUIN。There’spoetrytalkforagirlyou’dseeitchingandscratching，andshewithastalestinkofpoteenonherfromsellingintheshop。
CHRISTY——[impatiently。]It’sherlikeisfittedtobehandlingmerchandiseintheheavensabove，andwhat’llIbedoingnow，Iaskyou，andIakindofwonderwasjiltedbytheheavenswhenadaywasby。[Thereisadistantnoiseofgirls’voices。WidowQuinlooksfromwindowandcomestohim，hurriedly。
WIDOWQUIN。You’llbedoinglikemyself，I’mthinking，whenIdiddestroymyman，forI’mabovemany’stheday，oddtimesingreatspirits，abroadinthesunshine，darningastockingorstitchingashift；andoddtimesagainlookingoutontheschooners，hookers，trawlersissailingthesea，andIthinkingonthegallanthairyfellowsaredriftingbeyond，andmyselflongyearslivingalone。
CHRISTY——[interested。]You’relikeme，so。
WIDOWQUIN。Iamyourlike，andit’sforthatI’mtakingafancytoyou，andIwithmylittlehouseenabovewherethere’dbemyselftotendyou，andnonetoaskwereyouamurdererorwhatatall。
CHRISTY。AndwhatwouldIbedoingifIleftPegeen？
WIDOWQUIN。I’venicejobsyoucouldbedoing，gatheringshellstomakeawhitewashforourhutwithin，buildingupalittlegoose-house，orstretchinganewskinonanoldcurraghIhave，andifmyhutisfarfromallsides，it’sthereyou’llmeetthewisestoldmen，Itellyou，atthecornerofmywheel，andit’sthereyourselfandmewillhavegreattimeswhisperingandhugging……
VOICES——[outside，callingfaraway。]——Christy！ChristyMahon！Christy！
CHRISTY。IsitPegeenMike？
WIDOWQUIN。It’stheyounggirls，I’mthinking，comingtobringyoutothesportsbelow，andwhatisityou’llhavemetotellthemnow？
CHRISTY。AidmefortowinPegeen。It’sherselfonlythatI’mseekingnow。
（WidowQuingetsupandgoestowindow。）Aidmefortowinher，andI’llbeaskingGodtostretchahandtoyouinthehourofdeath，andleadyoushortcutsthroughtheMeadowsofEase，andupthefloorofHeaventotheFootstooloftheVirgin’sSon。
WIDOWQUIN。There’spraying。
VOICES——[nearer。]Christy！ChristyMahon！
CHRISTY——[withagitation。]——They’recoming。WillyousweartoaidandsavemefortheloveofChrist？
WIDOWQUIN——[looksathimforamoment。]——IfIaidyou，willyousweartogivemearightofwayIwant，andamountainyram，andaloadofdungatMichaelmas，thetimethatyou’llbemasterhere？
CHRISTY。Iwill，bytheelementsandstarsofnight。
WIDOWQUIN。Thenwe’llnotsayawordoftheoldfellow，thewayPegeenwon’tknowyourstorytilltheendoftime。
CHRISTY。Andifhechancestoreturnagain？
WIDOWQUIN。We’llswearhe’samaniacandnotyourda。IcouldtakeanoathIseenhimravingonthesandsto-day。[Girlsrunin。]
SUSAN。Comeontothesportsbelow。Pegeensaysyou’retocome。
SARATANSEY。Thelepping’sbeginning，andwe’veajockey’ssuittofituponyouforthemuleraceonthesandsbelow。
HONOR。Comeon，willyou？
CHRISTY。IwillthenifPegeen’sbeyond。
SARA。She’sintheboreenmakinggameofShaneenKeogh。
CHRISTY。ThenI’llbegoingtohernow。[Herunsoutfollowedbythegirls。]
WIDOWQUIN。Well，iftheworstcomesintheendofall，it’llbegreatgametoseethere’snonetopityhimbutawidowwoman，thelikeofme，hasburiedherchildrenanddestroyedherman。[Shegoesout。]
CURTAIN
ACTIII。
SCENE，[asbefore。Laterintheday。Jimmycomesin，slightlydrunk。]
JIMMY——[calls。]Pegeen！（Crossestoinnerdoor。）PegeenMike！（Comesbackagainintotheroom。）Pegeen！（Phillycomesininthesamestate。）（ToPhilly。）Didyouseeherself？
PHILLY。Ididnot；butIsentShawnKeoghwiththeasscartfortobearhimhome。（Tryingcupboardswhicharelocked。）Well，isn’theanastymantogetintosuchstaggersatamorningwake？andisn’therselfthedivil’sdaughterforlocking，andshesofussyafterthatyounggaffer，youmighttakeyourdeathwithdroughtandnonetoheedyou？
JIMMY。It’slittlewondershe’dbefussy，andheafterbringingbankruptruinontherouletteman，andthetrick-o’-the-loopman，andbreakingthenoseofthecockshot-man，andwinningallinthesportsbelow，racing，lepping，dancing，andtheLordknowswhat！He’srightluck，I’mtellingyou。
PHILLY。Ifhehas，he’llberightlyhobbledyet，andhenotabletosaytenwordswithoutmakingabragofthewayhekilledhisfather，andthegreatblowhehitwiththeloy。
JIMMY。Amancan’thangbyhisowninforming，andhisfathershouldberottenbynow。[OldMahonpasseswindowslowly。]
PHILLY。Supposingaman’sdiggingspudsinthatfieldwithalongspade，andsupposingheflingsupthetwohalvesofthatskull，what’llbesaidtheninthepapersandthecourtsoflaw？
JIMMY。They’dsayitwasanoldDane，maybe，wasdrownedintheflood。（OldMahoncomesinandsitsdownneardoorlistening。）DidyouneverheartelloftheskullstheyhaveinthecityofDublin，rangedoutlikebluejugsinacabinofConnaught？
PHILLY。Andyoubelievethat？
JIMMY——[pugnaciously。]Didn’taladseethemandheaftercomingfromharvestingintheLiverpoolboat？\"Theyhavethemthere，\"sayshe，\"makingashowofthegreatpeopletherewasonetimewalkingtheworld。Whiteskullsandblackskullsandyellowskulls，andsomewithfullteeth，andsomehaven’tonlybutone。\"
PHILLY。Itwasnolie，maybe，forwhenIwasayoungladtherewasagraveyardbeyondthehousewiththeremnantsofamanwhohadthighsaslongasyourarm。Hewasahorridman，I’mtellingyou，andtherewasmanyafineSundayI’dputhimtogetherforfun，andhewithshinybones，youwouldn’tmeetthelikeofthesedaysinthecitiesoftheworld。
MAHON——[gettingup。]——Youwouldn’tisit？Layyoureyesonthatskull，andtellmewhereandwhentherewasanotherthelikeofit，issplinteredonlyfromtheblowofaloy。
PHILLY。GlorybetoGod！Andwhohityouatall？
MAHON——[triumphantly。]Itwasmyownsonhitme。Wouldyoubelievethat？
JIMMY。Well，there’swondershiddenintheheartofman！
PHILLY——[suspiciously。]Andwhatwaywasitdone？
MAHON——[wanderingabouttheroom。]——I’mafterwalkinghundredsandlongscoresofmiles，winningcleanbedsandthefillofmybellyfourtimesintheday，andIdoingnothingbuttellingstoriesofthatnakedtruth。（Hecomestothemalittleaggressively。）GivemeasupeenandI’lltellyounow。[WidowQuincomesinandstandsaghastbehindhim。HeisfacingJimmyandPhilly，whoareontheleft。]
JIMMY。Askherselfbeyond。She’sthestuffhiddeninhershawl。
WIDOWQUIN——[comingtoMahonquickly。]——youhere，isit？Youdidn’tgofaratall？
MAHON。Iseenthecoastingsteamerpassing，andIgotadroughtuponmeandacrampingleg，soIsaid，\"Thedivilgoalongwithhim，\"andturnedagain。
（Lookingunderhershawl。）Andletyougivemeasupeen，forI’mdestroyedtravellingsinceTuesdaywasaweek。
WIDOWQUIN——[gettingaglass，inacajolingtone。]——Sitdownthenbythefireandtakeyoureaseforaspace。You’vearighttobedestroyedindeed，withyourwalking，andfighting，andfacingthesun（givinghimpoteenfromastonejarshehasbroughtin。）Therenowisadrinkforyou，andmayitbetoyourhappinessandlengthoflife。
MAHON——[takingglassgreedilyandsittingdownbyfire。]——Godincreaseyou！
WIDOWQUIN——[takingmentotherightstealthily。]——Doyouknowwhat？Thatman’sravingfromhiswoundto-day，forImethimawhilesincetellingaramblingtaleofatinkerhadhimdestroyed。ThenheheardofChristy’sdeed，andheupandsaysitwashissonhadcrackedhisskull。Oisn’tmadnessafright，forhe’llgokillingsomeoneyet，andhethinkingit’sthemanhasstruckhimso？
JIMMY——[entirelyconvinced。]It’safright，surely。Iknewapartywaskickedintheheadbyaredmare，andhewentkillinghorsesagreatwhile，tillheeattheinsidesofaclockanddiedafter。