hink too much of
money. All those women in the Combe ... do you know why they're against
us? ... because they can't get their separation allowances! We won't win
a military success ... we all know that ... McDonagh and Pearse and
Connolly and Mineely and all of us ... we know that ... but well win a
spiritual success!"

"A spiritual success?"

"Yes. Well remind the people that Ireland is not yet a nation and that
there are Irishmen who are still willing to die for their country.
They've become very English, but they're not altogether English, Henry.
They've still some of the old Irish spirit in them, and we may quicken
that!"

"Nothing will ever convince you, I suppose, that the English aren't a
robber race?..."

"Nothing. I daresay the mass of the people are decent enough, but I
don't know and I don't care. All that matters to me is that my
countrymen shall not become like them!..."

"You're ruining the work of thirty years, John. Blowing it up in a
childish rage!..."

"You always thought I was a fool, Henry, but I don't think as you think.
We won the Home Rule Act by fair and constitutional means ... and
they've done us out of it. The Ulster men had only to yell at them, and
they gave in. Do you think they'll keep their word after the War?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't. They'll use that damned Amending Act to cheat us as
they've cheated us before. No, Henry, this is a poor hope, but it is a
hope. You see, when we're beaten and those of us who are left alive,
surrender, the English will be sure to do the right thing ... from our
point of view! That's one of the things we count on. They'll put us down
with great firmness. They'll make an example of us. They'll shoot us,
Henry ... and when they do that, we'll win. We're not popular now ...
oh, I don't need you to tell me that ... but we'll be popular then. The
English will make us popular!"

"Isn't it a little mean, John, to hit them when they aren't looking?"

"Mean! They've hit us often enough, haven't they? They got us on the
ground when we were sick and kicked us. Why shouldn't we take advantage
of them?"

"The Germans!..."

"Why shouldn't we go to the Germans, or to any one who is willing to
help us? Wolfe Tone went to the French!..."

"You won't come away with me?"

"No. I came here to die, Henry, not to be safe!"

They stood for a few moments in silence, looking at each other, and then
John put out his hand to Henry who took it in his.

"I must g