_(going to her)_ Don't be minding Ellen at all, Sally.
SALLY
Well, as high as she is, and as mighty as she is, she came
into his own house to see Matt. God between us and harm, Cornelius,
maybe they'll be saying I came into your house to see you.
CORNELIUS
Who'll know you came at all? And what isn't seen won't be
spoken of.
SALLY
Would you like me to stay, Cornelius?
CORNELIUS
Ay, I would.
SALLY
Divil mind the sow,
_They sit down together_.
SALLY
_(after a pause)_ Would you like me to knit you a pair of socks,
Cornelius?
CORNELIUS
Oh, I would, Sally; I'd love to wear them.
SALLY
I'll knit them. We'll be getting rid of the sow tonight, maybe,
and I'll have time after that.
CORNELIUS
And you come along the road when I'm herding. I don't want to be going
near your father's house.
SALLY
O Cornelius, it won't be lucky for us when father hears about
Ellen and Matt.
CORNELIUS
That's true. No man sees his house afire but looks to his rick.
SALLY
Come down a bit of the road with me, Cornelius. The sow will be
grunting and grunting, reminding father that I'm away. Och, a minute
ago I was as contented as if there was no land or pigs, or harsh words
to trouble one. _(She goes to the door)_ The boys and girls for
America are coming here.
CORNELIUS
Give me your hands to hold, Sally. _(She gives him her
hands)_ We are as young as any of them after all.
_They hold each other's hands, then stand apart_.
SALLY
It's a fine time for them to be going when the leaves are
opening on the trees.
_Three boys and three girls enter. They are dressed for going away_.
SALLY
God save you, girls. Good-bye, Cornelius. I'll have to run
like a redshank.
_Sally goes out_.
CORNELIUS
I'll call Ellen down to you. _(He goes to the room door
and calls)_ I'm going herding myself. Herding is pleasant when you
have thoughts with you.
_He takes up the rod and goes out. The girls begin whispering, then
chattering_.
FIRST GIRL
Sure I know. Every night I'm dreaming of the sea and the
great towns. Streets and streets of houses and every street as
crowded as the road outside the chapel when the people do be coming
from Mass. I could watch the crowd in the street; I would think it
better than any sight I ever knew.
SECOND GIRL
And the shops and the great houses.
SECOND BOY
There's no stir here. There's no fine clothes, nor fine
manners, nor fine things to be seen.
THIRD BOY
There
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