deed it was, mother.

Mrs. Ford (_laughing a little_): Mind that, Agnes. They are the lively
lads to be taking stock of an old woman the like of me driving the
roads.

Hugh: The people could not but feel some stir to see what they saw this
day. I declare to you, Donagh, when I saw her old stooped dark figure
thrown against the sky on the car it moved something in me.

Mrs. Ford: What are you saying about a stir in the country, Hugh Deely?

Hugh: Was it not something to see the planter going from this place? Was
it not something to see you and Donagh coming from a miserable place in
the bog?

Mrs. Ford (_sharply_): The planter, did you say? (_Clutching her stick
to rise_). Blessed be God! Is Curley the planter gone from Carrabane?
Don't make any lie to me, Hugh Deely.

Hugh: Curley is gone.

Mrs. Ford (_rising with difficulty, her agitation growing_): And his
wife? What about his trollop of a wife?

Donagh: The whole brood and tribe of them went a month back.

Agnes: Did not Donagh tell you that you were back in your own place
again? (_Mrs. Ford moves about, a consciousness of her surroundings
breaking upon her. She goes to room door, pushing it open._)

Hugh: It is all coming back to her again.

Donagh: She was only a little upset in her mind.

Mrs. Ford (_coming from room door_): Agnes, and you, Hugh Deely, come
here until I be telling you a thing of great wonder. It was in this
house Donagh there was born. And it was in that room that we laid out
his little sister, Mary. I remember the March day and the yellow flowers
they put around her in the bed. She had no strength for the rough world.
I crossed her little white hands on the breast where the life died in
her like a flame. Donagh, my son, it was nearly all going from my mind.

Agnes: This is no day for sad thoughts. Think of the great thing it is
for you to be back here again.

Mrs. Ford: Ah, that's the truth, girl. Did the world ever hear of such a
story as an old woman like me to be standing in this place and the
planter gone from Currabane! And if Donagh Ford is gone to his rest his
son is here to answer for him.

Donagh: The world knows I can never be the man my father was.

Mrs. Ford (_raising her stick with a little cry_): Ah-ha, the people saw
the great strength of Donagh Ford. 'They talk of a tenant at will,' he'd
say, 'but who is it that can chain the purpose of a man's mind.' And
they all saw it. There was no great spirit in the country