the first call on it? What would a slip of a girl like that be
doing with a gold chain round her neck?

TERESA [venomously]. Anyhow, I have a neck to put it round and
not a hank of wrinkles.

At this unfortunate remark, Mrs O'Flaherty bounds from her seat:
and an appalling tempest of wordy wrath breaks out. The
remonstrances and commands of the General, and the protests and
menaces of O'Flaherty, only increase the hubbub. They are soon
all speaking at once at the top of their voices.

MRS O'FLAHERTY [solo]. You impudent young heifer, how dar you say
such a thing to me? [Teresa retorts furiously: the men interfere:
and the solo becomes a quartet, fortissimo.] I've a good mind to
clout your ears for you to teach you manners. Be ashamed of
yourself, do; and learn to know who you're speaking to. That I
maytn't sin! but I don't know what the good God was thinking
about when he made the like of you. Let me not see you casting
sheep's eyes at my son again. There never was an O'Flaherty yet
that would demean himself by keeping company with a dirty
Driscoll; and if I see you next or nigh my house I'll put you in
the ditch with a flea in your ear: mind that now.

TERESA. Is it me you offer such a name to, you fou-mouthed,
dirty-minded, lying, sloothering old sow, you? I wouldn't soil my
tongue by calling you in your right name and telling Sir Pearce
what's the common talk of the town about you. You and your
O'Flahertys! setting yourself up agen the Driscolls that would
never lower themselves to be seen in conversation with you at the