now.

_He takes his fiddle and begins to wrap it up eagerly_.

BRIAN
Ay, let's go.

CONN
_(at door)_ I never forget, I never forget. The Granard Feis is
as fresh in my mind as the day I played at it. Shawn Heffernan,
indeed! I never forget. I never forget.

_Conn Hourican and Brian MacConnell go out_.

[Footnote 5: Bohereen--the little path going from the cottage to
the main road.]

CURTAIN

ACT II

_The next day: The scene is as in previous Act. It is now in the
forenoon. Maire Hourican is seated at the fire in a listless attitude.
Anne is busy at the dresser. Maire rises_.

MAIRE
We shouldn't have stayed at Moynihan's so late.

ANNE
Indeed it would have been better to go home, but I was sure
that Brian MacConnell would come in.

MAIRE
Well, it was his own loss if he didn't come. Maybe there was
one there that I liked better.

ANNE
You couldn't have liked Connor Gilpatrick better than Brian
MacConnell.

MAIRE
Connor's the best-looking boy in the country. Was it noticed
that we were together often?

ANNE
_(significantly)_ Peggy Carroll noticed it.

MAIRE
Well, the boy was glad to talk to me. Connor's a good dancer,
and he has fine talk besides. If Brian MacConnell had come to the
door, I wouldn't have turned my head towards him.

ANNE
Sure, you wouldn't compare a young boy like Connor Gilpatrick
with Brian MacConnell?

MAIRE
I wouldn't have turned my head towards Brian. O! never expect kindness
from men. Why did you let me stay on? I'm afraid to look at myself
in the glass to-day. _(She goes over to the mirror)_ You were
hard on me, Anne, yesterday.

ANNE
I didn't like the way you talked to father.

MAIRE
I think I'm getting different to what I used to be. Well, I've
reason to be sorry for what I did yesterday. _(She is at window)_
Was Peggy Carroll vexed at the way I went on?

ANNE
She never took her eyes off the pair of you. You know she's
very fond of Connor.

MAIRE
Anne, never remind me of my foolishness, I'm heartsick of
myself to-day.

ANNE
I'll comb out your hair for you, and you'll look well enough.

MAIRE
Then you're expecting Brian MacConnell?

ANNE
It's likely he'll come in to see if there's anything to be done.

MAIRE
I suppose he'll come in. Gracious, how did father get out?
He's coming up the path.

ANNE
_(coming to Maire)_ Father's not up, surely? Maire, be easy
with Brian MacConnell when he comes in.

MAIRE
Father's coming up the