ONN
_(angrily)_ Hush now; I'll hear no more. I went my own way
always, and I'll go my own way always.

_He goes to the entrance, and remains with his back turned. Maire
goes to Anne_.

MAIRE
_(raising her voice)_ Ay, he'll go his own way always. What
was the good of working and saving here?

ANNE
Be quiet with him.

MAIRE
He'll go his own way always, and it's foolish of us to be
fretting for him night and day.

_Maire sits on stool and puts her hands across her face_.

CONN
_(turning his head)_ Fretting for me. It was too easy that I
reared you.

ANNE
God help Maire! She kept the house together at the worst, and
she is always fretting for us.

CONN
I'm oul' enough to mind myself. Let her remember that.

ANNE
It's you that ought to remember that.

CONN
_(going to Maire)_ Did I ever give the harsh word to you, child?

_No answer_.

CONN
There, there; I never could see tears in a woman's eyes; there,
there, colleen. I'm an oul' man; I won't be a trouble to you long.

MAIRE
_(rising)_ Why need you play in Flynn's? You're as good as any
that goes there.

CONN
I know that. I'm disgusted with Flynn. May hell loosen his
knees for him! I'll go in and throw his money on the counter.

MAIRE
Some one else can do that. Promise me you won't go near the
place.

CONN
You'll have me promise. I promise.

MAIRE
Take this in your hand and promise. It's a medal that belonged
to mother.

_She takes a medal from her neck_

CONN
_(taking the medal)_ I'm disgusted with Flynn. I promise you,
Maire.

MAIRE
Now you've honour and respect.

CONN
And what about Ardagh, Maire?

MAIRE
Sure, you're not the rambling fiddler any more.

CONN
That would be the good rambling. I see the trees making shadows
across the roads.

MAIRE
We'll talk about it again.

ANNE
Brian MacConnell will be coming in now. CONN I'm going out to
Brian MacConnell.

_He goes to the door_.

ANNE
Tell Brian to come in now.

_Conn Hourican goes out. There is a pause. Maire hums a tune as she
goes to the mirror_.

MAIRE
Am I looking well to-day?

ANNE
_(rather distantly)_ You're looking your best, I think.
_(Seriously)_ Maire, I didn't like the way you talked to father.

MAIRE
_(petulantly)_ What have you against it?

ANNE
You're becoming a stranger to us, Maire.

MAIRE
_(as an apology)_ I'm out often, I know, but I think as much
as ever of the house, and about you and father. You know we couldn't