SARAH -- following him out. -- The bles-
sing of the Almighty God be on you, holy
father, and that He may reward and watch
you from this present day.
MARY -- nudging Michael. -- Did you see
that, Michael Byrne? Didn't you hear me
telling you she's flighty a while back since the
change of the moon? With her fussing for


28

marriage, and she making whisper-talk with
one man or another man along by the road.
MICHAEL. --* Whist now, or she'll knock
the head of you the time she comes back.
MARY. --* Ah, it's a bad, wicked way the
world is this night, if there's a fine air in it
itself. You'd never have seen me, and I a
young woman, making whisper-talk with the
like of him, and he the fearfullest old fellow
you'd see any place walking the world.
[Sarah comes back quickly.
MARY -- calling out to her. -- What is it
you're after whispering above with himself?
SARAH -- exultingly. -- Lie down, and
leave us in peace. She whispers with Michael.
MARY -- poking out her pipe with a straw,
sings --
She'd whisper with one, and she'd whisper