(He turns to Sally)_ I'm
not taking the pigs. Put a fresh bedding under them to-night.

SALLY
I will, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Be up early, and let the cows along the road, or
they'll be breaking into the young meadow.

SALLY
I'll do that, too.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Be sure to keep enough fresh milk for the young calf.

SALLY
I'll be sure to do it, father.

_She goes out. Martin takes out his paper, and begins to read it
again_.

MATT
_(turning on Murtag)_ Before I go out again there's something I
want settled.

MURTAGH COSGAR
What is it you want?

MATT
Would you have me go, or would you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR
Don't be talking of going or staying, and you the last
of them.

MATT
But I will be talking of it. You must treat me differently if
you want me to stay. You must treat me differently to the way you
treat Sally.

MURTAGH COSGAR
You were always treated differently, Matt. In no
house that ever I remember was there a boy treated as well as you
are treated here.

MATT
The houses that you remember are different from the houses that
are now. Will you have me go, or will you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR
You're very threatening. I'd have you stay. For the
sake of the name, I'd have you stay.

MATT
Let us take hands on it, then.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Wait, we'll see what you want first.

MATT
You have no feeling. I'd go out of this house, only I want to
give you a chance.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Stop. We can have kindness in this. We needn't be
beating each other down, like men at a fair.

MATT
We're not men at a fair. May God keep the kindness in our hearts.

_Martin rises_.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Don't be going, Martin Douras.

MATT
Don't be going yet. I'll be with you, when you're going.

_Martin sits down_.

MURTAGH COSGAR
_(to Matt)_ You'll be getting married, I suppose, if
you stay?

MATT
Maybe I will.

MURTAGH COSGAR
_(bitterly)_ In the houses that are now, the young
marry where they have a mind to. It's their own business, they say.

MATT
Maybe it is their own business. I'm going to marry Ellen Douras,
if she'll have me.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Ellen is a good girl, and clever, I'm told. But I
would not have you deal before you go into the fair.

MATT
I'm going to marry Ellen Douras.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Her father is here, and we can settle it now. What
fortune will you be giving Ellen, Martin? That 100 pounds that was
saved while you were in Maryborough gaol?

_Marti