when Donagh
Ford took the courage of his own heart and called the people together.

Hugh: This place was a place of great strife then.

Mrs. Ford: God send, Agnes Deely, that you'll never have the memory of a
bitter eviction burned into your mind.

Donagh: That's all over and done now, mother. There is a new life before
you.

Mrs. Ford: Well, they had their way and put us across the threshold. But
if they did it was on this hearth was kindled a blaze that swept the
townland and wrapped the country. It went from one place to another and
no wave that rose upon the Shannon could hold it back. It was a thing
that no power could check, for it ran in the blood and only wasted in
the vein of the father to leap fresh in the heart of the son. Ah, I will
go on my knees and kiss the threshold of this house for the things it
calls to mind. (_She goes to door, kneeling down and kissing the
threshold._)

Hugh: It is a great hold she has on the old days and a great spirit. (_A
low murmur of voices is heard in the distance outside._)

Donagh: They are turning the ploughs into the second field.

Mrs. Ford: What's that you say about the ploughs?

Donagh (_going to her_): The boys are breaking up the land for us. (_He
and Hugh help her to rise. They are all grouped at the door._)

Agnes: It was they who cheered you on the road.

Mrs. Ford: The sight is failing me.

Donagh. I can only make out little dark spots against the green of the
fields.

Donagh: Those are the people, mother.

Mrs. Ford (_crossing to fireplace_): The people are beginning to gather
behind the ploughs again. Tell me, Donagh, what way is the wind coming?

Donagh: It is coming up from the South.

Mrs. Ford (_speaking more to herself_): Well, I can ask no more now. The
wind is from the South and it will bear that cheer past where HE is
lying in Gurteen-na-Marbh. It is a kind wind and it carries good music.
Take my word for it every sound that goes on the wind is not lost to the
dead.

Hugh: You ought to take her out of these thoughts.

Agnes: Leave her with me for a little while. (_Hugh and Donagh move to
door._)

Mrs. Ford: Where are you going, Donagh?

Donagh: Down to the people breaking the ground. They will be waiting for
word of your home-coming.

Mrs. Ford: Ah, sure you ought to have the people up here, _a mhic_. I'd
like to see all the old neighbours about me and hear the music of their
voices.

Hugh: Very well. I'll step down and bid t