PEGEEN [jumping up and giving him the bread and milk.] -- Go on now with your
supper, and let on to be sleepy, for if she found you were such a warrant to
talk, she'd be stringing gabble till the dawn of day. (He takes bread and
sits shyly with his back to the door.)

PEGEEN [opening door, with temper.] -- What ails you, or what is it you're
wanting at this hour of the night?

WIDOW QUIN -- [coming in a step and peering at Christy.] -- I'm after meeting
Shawn Keogh and Father Reilly below, who told me of your curiosity man, and
they fearing by this time he was maybe roaring, romping on your hands with
drink.

PEGEEN [pointing to Christy.] -- Look now is he roaring, and he stretched
away drowsy with his supper and his mug of milk. Walk down and tell that to
Father Reilly and to Shaneen Keogh.

WIDOW QUIN -- [coming forward.] -- I'll not see them again, for I've their
word to lead that lad forward for to lodge with me.

PEGEEN -- [in blank amazement.] -- This night, is it?

WIDOW QUIN -- [going over.] -- This night. "It isn't fitting," says the
priesteen, "to have his likeness lodging with an orphaned girl." (To
Christy.) God save you, mister!

CHRISTY -- [shyly.] -- God save you kindly.

WIDOW QUIN -- [looking at him with half-amazed curiosity.] -- Well, aren't you
a little smiling fellow? It should have been great and bitter torments did