NAISI. It's a rich man has this place, and
no herd at all.
LAVARCHAM -- sitting down with her
head half covered. -- It is not, and you'd best
be going quickly.
NAISI -- hilariously, shaking rain from
his clothes. -- When we've had the pick of luck
finding princely comfort in the darkness of
the night! Some rich man of Ulster should
come here and he chasing in the woods. May
we drink? (He takes up flask.) Whose
wine is this that we may drink his health?
LAVARCHAM. It's no one's that you've
call to know.
NAISI. Your own health then and length
of life. (Pouring out wine for the three.
They drink.)
LAVARCHAM -- very crossly. -- You're
great boys taking a welcome where it isn't
given, and asking questions where you've no
call to. . . . If you'd a quiet place settled
up to be playing yourself, maybe, with a gentle
queen, what'd you think of young men prying
around and carrying tales? When I was a bit
of a girl the big men of Ulster had better


35

manners, and they the like of your three selves,