dressed, with a little bag and a bundle
of twigs in her arms. She is astonished
for a moment when she sees Conchu-


22

bor; then she makes a courtesy to him,
and goes to the hearth without any
embarrassment.
CONCHUBOR. The gods save you,
Deirdre. I have come up bringing you rings
and jewels from Emain Macha.
DEIRDRE. The gods save you.
CONCHUBOR. What have you brought
from the hills?
DEIRDRE -- quite self-possessed. -- A bag
of nuts, and twigs for our fires at the dawn
of day.
CONCHUBOR -- showing annoyance in
spite of himself. -- And it's that way you're
picking up the manners will fit you to be Queen
of Ulster?
DEIRDRE -- made a little defiant by his
tone. -- I have no wish to be a queen.
CONCHUBOR -- almost sneeringly. --
You'd wish to be dressing in your duns and
grey, and you herding your geese or driving
your calves to their shed -- like the common
lot scattered in the glens.