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。