ied off?

JAMES
Big fortunes are expected with them.

MAIRE
And they look to your wife to bring a big fortune into the
house?

JAMES
Ay, they do that.

MAIRE
You, James, ought to have some control in the house. You're
the only son. Your father is well off. Get him to fortune off your
sisters, and then bring Anne to the house.

JAMES
But how could I get father to fortune off the girls?

MAIRE
How? By wakening up. You have the right. When we have the right,
we ought to be able to do anything we like with the people around us.

JAMES
I give in to the truth of that, Maire.

MAIRE
What will come of you giving in to the truth of it? But sure
you ought to remember, Anne.

ANNE
_(taking James's hand)_ James has the good way with people.

MAIRE
Well, I suppose it will come out right for you in the end. You
are both very deserving. _(She rises)_ But some time or another we
have to take things into our own hands.

JAMES
Indeed that's true, Maire.

_Maire goes to back_.

ANNE
_(holding James's hand)_ Did you make any more songs, James?

JAMES
I have a song in my head since last night.

ANNE
The one in the paper is lovely. I know it by heart.

JAMES
The next I make will be ten times better.

_Conn Hourican comes down_.

CONN
I heard your voice, James, and I thought I'd come down. It's
very good of you to come here again. I'll be out with you to-day.

JAMES
It'll be a good day from this on. Were you practising above,
Mister Hourican?

CONN
Well, no, James, I wasn't practising. I was at a big gathering
last night, and my hands are unstrung like. We'll talk for a while,
and then I'll go out with you.

ANNE
_(taking James's arm)_ Come out with me for a minute, James.

JAMES
_(going off)_ I'll see you again, Mister Hourican.

_James and Anne go out_,

CONN
Well, God help us. _(He turns to go back to the room. Maire
comes down from back)_ Are you going out, Maire?

MAIRE
No, I'm staying here.

CONN
_(aggrieved)_ Do you mind them two, how they went out together.
I think I'll go out and see what's to be done about the place.

_Conn goes towards the entrance. Maire goes towards the fire_.

CONN
_(pausing at door)_ I broke my word to you, Maire.

MAIRE
I don't know what to say to you now.

CONN
It was the music and the strange faces that drew me.

MAIRE
I know that now.

CONN
It will be a long time till I break my word to you again.

MAIRE
I'll never ask for your w