ACOMEDYINTHREEACTS
PREFACE
InwritingTHEPLAYBOYOFTHEWESTERNWORLD，asinmyotherplays，IhaveusedoneortwowordsonlythatIhavenotheardamongthecountrypeopleofIreland，orspokeninmyownnurserybeforeIcouldreadthenewspapers。A
certainnumberofthephrasesIemployIhaveheardalsofromherdsandfishermenalongthecoastfromKerrytoMayo，orfrombeggar-womenandballadsingersnearerDublin；andIamgladtoacknowledgehowmuchIowetothefolkimaginationofthesefinepeople。AnyonewhohaslivedinrealintimacywiththeIrishpeasantrywillknowthatthewildestsayingsandideasinthisplayaretameindeed，comparedwiththefanciesonemayhearinanylittlehillsidecabininGeesala，orCarraroe，orDingleBay。Allartisacollaboration；andthereislittledoubtthatinthehappyagesofliterature，strikingandbeautifulphraseswereasreadytothestory-teller’sortheplaywright’shand，astherichcloaksanddressesofhistime。ItisprobablethatwhentheElizabethandramatisttookhisink-hornandsatdowntohisworkheusedmanyphrasesthathehadjustheard，ashesatatdinner，fromhismotherorhischildren。InIreland，thoseofuswhoknowthepeoplehavethesameprivilege。WhenIwaswriting\"TheShadowoftheGlen，\"someyearsago，IgotmoreaidthananylearningcouldhavegivenmefromachinkintheflooroftheoldWicklowhousewhereIwasstaying，thatletmehearwhatwasbeingsaidbytheservantgirlsinthekitchen。Thismatter，Ithink，isofimportance，forincountrieswheretheimaginationofthepeople，andthelanguagetheyuse，isrichandliving，itispossibleforawritertoberichandcopiousinhiswords，andatthesametimetogivethereality，whichistherootofallpoetry，inacomprehensiveandnaturalform。Inthemodernliteratureoftowns，however，richnessisfoundonlyinsonnets，orprosepoems，orinoneortwoelaboratebooksthatarefarawayfromtheprofoundandcommoninterestsoflife。Onehas，ononeside，MallarmeandHuysmansproducingthisliterature；andontheother，IbsenandZoladealingwiththerealityoflifeinjoylessandpallidwords。Onthestageonemusthavereality，andonemusthavejoy；andthatiswhytheintellectualmoderndramahasfailed，andpeoplehavegrownsickofthefalsejoyofthemusicalcomedy，thathasbeengiventheminplaceoftherichjoyfoundonlyinwhatissuperbandwildinreality。Inagoodplayeveryspeechshouldbeasfullyflavouredasanutorapple，andsuchspeechescannotbewrittenbyanyonewhoworksamongpeoplewhohaveshuttheirlipsonpoetry。InIreland，forafewyearsmore，wehaveapopularimaginationthatisfieryandmagnificent，andtender；
sothatthoseofuswhowishtowritestartwithachancethatisnotgiventowritersinplaceswherethespringtimeofthelocallifehasbeenforgotten，andtheharvestisamemoryonly，andthestrawhasbeenturnedintobricks。
J。M。S。
January21st，1907。
PERSONS
CHRISTOPHERMAHON。
OLDMAHON，hisfather，asquatter。
MICHAELJAMESFLAHERTY（calledMICHAELJAMES），apublican。
MARGARETFLAHERTY（called]PEGEENMIKE），hisdaughter。
WIDOWQUIN，awomanofaboutthirty。
SHAWNKEOUGH，hercousin，ayoungfarmer。
PHILLYCULLENANDJIMMYFARRELL，smallfarmers。
SARATANSEY，SUSANBRADY，ANDHONORBLAKE，villagegirls。
ABELLMAN。
SOMEPEASANTS。
Theactiontakesplacenearavillage，onawildcoastofMayo。ThefirstActpassesonaneveningofautumn，theothertwoActsonthefollowingday。
THEPLAYBOYOFTHEWESTERNWORLD
__________
ACTI。
SCENE：[Countrypublic-houseorshebeen，veryroughanduntidy。Thereisasortofcounterontherightwithshelves，holdingmanybottlesandjugs，justseenaboveit。Emptybarrelsstandnearthecounter。Atback，alittletoleftofcounter，thereisadoorintotheopenair，then，moretotheleft，thereisasettlewithshelvesaboveit，withmorejugs，andatablebeneathawindow。Attheleftthereisalargeopenfire-place，withturffire，andasmalldoorintoinnerroom。Pegeen，awildlookingbutfinegirl，ofabouttwenty，iswritingattable。Sheisdressedintheusualpeasantdress。]
PEGEEN——[slowlyasshewrites。]——Sixyardsofstufffortomakeayellowgown。Apairoflacebootswithlengthyheelsonthemandbrassyeyes。Ahatissuitedforawedding-day。Afinetoothcomb。TobesentwiththreebarrelsofporterinJimmyFarrell’screelcartontheeveningofthecomingFairtoMisterMichaelJamesFlaherty。Withthebestcomplimentsofthisseason。MargaretFlaherty。
SHAWNKEOGH——[afatandfairyoungmancomesinasshesigns，looksroundawkwardly，whenheseessheisalone。]——Where’shimself？
PEGEEN——[withoutlookingathim。]——He’scoming。（Shedirectstheletter。）
ToMisterSheamusMulroy，WineandSpiritDealer，Castlebar。
SHAWN——[uneasily。]——Ididn’tseehimontheroad。
PEGEEN。Howwouldyouseehim（licksstampandputsitonletter）anditdarknightthishalfhourgoneby？
SHAWN——[turningtowardsthedooragain。]——IstoodawhileoutsidewonderingwouldIhavearighttopassonortowalkinandseeyou，PegeenMike（comestofire），andIcouldhearthecowsbreathing，andsighinginthestillnessoftheair，andnotastepmovinganyplacefromthisgatetothebridge。
PEGEEN——[puttingletterinenvelope。]——It’saboveatthecross-roadsheis，meetingPhillyCullen；andacouplemorearegoingalongwithhimtoKateCassidy’swake。
SHAWN——[lookingatherblankly。]——Andhe’sgoingthatlengthinthedarknight？
PEGEEN——[impatiently。]Heissurely，andleavingmelonesomeonthescruffofthehill。（Shegetsupandputsenvelopeondresser，thenwindsclock。）
Isn’titlongthenightsarenow，ShawnKeogh，tobeleavingapoorgirlwithherownselfcountingthehourstothedawnofday？
SHAWN——[withawkwardhumour。]——Ifitis，whenwe’reweddedinashortwhileyou’llhavenocalltocomplain，forI’velittlewilltobewalkingofftowakesorweddingsinthedarknessofthenight。
PEGEEN——[withratherscornfulgoodhumour。]——You’remakingmightycertain，Shaneen，thatI’llwedyounow。
SHAWN。Aren’tweaftermakingagoodbargain，thewaywe’reonlywaitingthesedaysonFatherReilly’sdispensationfromthebishops，ortheCourtofRome。
PEGEEN——[lookingathimteasingly，washingupatdresser。]——It’sawonder，Shaneen，theHolyFather’dbetakingnoticeofthelikesofyou；forifIwashimIwouldn’tbotherwiththisplacewhereyou’llmeetnonebutRedLinahan，hasasquintinhiseye，andPatcheenislameinhisheel，orthemadMulranniesweredrivenfromCaliforniaandtheylostintheirwits。We’reaqueerlotthesetimestogotroublingtheHolyFatheronhissacredseat。
SHAWN——[scandalized。]Ifweare，we’reasgoodthisplaceasanother，maybe，andasgoodthesetimesaswewereforever。
PEGEEN——[withscorn。]——Asgood，isit？WherenowwillyoumeetthelikeofDaneenSullivanknockedtheeyefromapeeler，orMarcusQuin，Godresthim，gotsixmonthsformaimingewes，andheagreatwarranttotellstoriesofholyIrelandtillhe’dhavetheoldwomensheddingdowntearsabouttheirfeet。Wherewillyoufindthelikeofthem，I’msaying？
SHAWN——[timidly。]Ifyoudon’tit’sagoodjob，maybe；for（withpeculiaremphasisonthewords）FatherReillyhassmallconceittohavethatkindwalkingaroundandtalkingtothegirls。
PEGEEN——[impatiently，throwingwaterfrombasinoutofthedoor。]——StoptormentingmewithFatherReilly（imitatinghisvoice）whenI’maskingonlywhatwayI’llpassthesetwelvehoursofdark，andnottakemydeathwiththefear。[Lookingoutofdoor。]
SHAWN——[timidly。]WouldIfetchyouthewidowQuin，maybe？
PEGEEN。Isitthelikeofthatmurderer？You’llnot，surely。
SHAWN——[goingtoher，soothingly。]——ThenI’mthinkinghimselfwillstopalongwithyouwhenheseesyoutakingon，forit’llbealongnight-timewithgreatdarkness，andI’mafterfeelingakindoffellowaboveinthefurzyditch，groaningwickedlikeamaddeningdog，thewayit’sgoodcauseyouhave，maybe，tobefearingnow。
PEGEEN——[turningonhimsharply。]——What’sthat？Isitamanyouseen？
SHAWN——[retreating。]Icouldn’tseehimatall；butIheardhimgroaningout，andbreakinghisheart。Itshouldhavebeenayoungmanfromhiswordsspeaking。
PEGEEN——[goingafterhim。]——Andyouneverwentneartoseewashehurtedorwhatailedhimatall？
SHAWN。Ididnot，PegeenMike。Itwasadark，lonesomeplacetobehearingthelikeofhim。
PEGEEN。Well，you’readaringfellow，andiftheyfindhiscorpsestretchedaboveinthedewsofdawn，what’llyousaythentothepeelers，ortheJusticeofthePeace？
SHAWN——[thunderstruck。]Iwasn’tthinkingofthat。FortheloveofGod，PegeenMike，don’tletonIwasspeakingofhim。Don’ttellyourfatherandthemeniscomingabove；foriftheyheardthatstory，they’dhavegreatblabbingthisnightatthewake。
PEGEEN。I’llmaybetellthem，andI’llmaybenot。
SHAWN。Theyarecomingatthedoor，Willyouwhisht，I’msaying？
PEGEEN。Whishtyourself。
[Shegoesbehindcounter。MichaelJames，fatjovialpublican，comesinfollowedbyPhillyCullen，whoisthinandmistrusting，andJimmyFarrell，whoisfatandamorous，aboutforty-five。]
MEN——[together。]——Godblessyou。TheblessingofGodonthisplace。
PEGEEN。Godblessyoukindly。
MICHAEL——[tomenwhogotothecounter。]——Sitdownnow，andtakeyourrest。（CrossestoShawnatthefire。）Andhowisityouare，ShawnKeogh？
AreyoucomingoverthesandstoKateCassidy’swake？
SHAWN。Iamnot，MichaelJames。I’mgoinghometheshortcuttomybed。
PEGEEN——[speakingacrossthecounter。]——He’srighttoo，andhaveyounoshame，MichaelJames，tobequittingoffforthewholenight，andleavingmyselflonesomeintheshop？
MICHAEL——[good-humouredly。]Isn’titthesamewhetherIgoforthewholenightorapartonly？andI’mthinkingit’saqueerdaughteryouareifyou’dhavemecrossingbackwardthroughtheStooksoftheDeadWomen，withadroptaken。
PEGEEN。IfIamaqueerdaughter，it’saqueerfather’dbeleavingmelonesomethesetwelvehoursofdark，andIpilingtheturfwiththedogsbarking，andthecalvesmooing，andmyownteethrattlingwiththefear。
JIMMY——[flatteringly。]——Whatistheretohurtyou，andyouafine，hardygirlwouldknocktheheadofanytwomenintheplace？
PEGEEN——[workingherselfup。]——Isn’ttheretheharvestboyswiththeirtonguesredfordrink，andthetentinkersiscampedintheeastglen，andthethousandmilitia——badcesstothem！——walkingidlethroughtheland。
There’slotssurelytohurtme，andIwon’tstopaloneinit，lethimselfdowhathewill。
MICHAEL。Ifyou’rethatafeard，letShawnKeoghstopalongwithyou。It’sthewillofGod，I’mthinking，himselfshouldbeseeingtoyounow。[TheyallturnonShawn。]
SHAWN——[inhorrifiedconfusion。]——Iwouldandwelcome，MichaelJames，butI’mafeardofFatherReilly；andwhatatallwouldtheHolyFatherandtheCardinalsofRomebesayingiftheyheardIdidthelikeofthat？
MICHAEL——[withcontempt。]——Godhelpyou！Can’tyousitinbythehearthwiththelightlitandherselfbeyondintheroom？You’lldothatsurely，forI’veheardtellthere’saqueerfellowabove，goingmadorgettinghisdeath，maybe，inthegripeoftheditch，soshe’dbesaferthisnightwithapersonhere。
SHAWN——[withplaintivedespair。]——I’mafeardofFatherReilly，I’msaying。
Letyounotbetemptingme，andwenearmarrieditself。
PHILLY——[withcoldcontempt。]——Lockhiminthewestroom。He’llstaythenandhavenosintobetellingtothepriest。
MICHAEL——[toShawn，gettingbetweenhimandthedoor。]——Goupnow。
SHAWN——[atthetopofhisvoice。]——Don’tstopme，MichaelJames。Letmeoutofthedoor，I’msaying，fortheloveoftheAlmightyGod。Letmeout（tryingtododgepasthim）。Letmeoutofit，andmayGodgrantyouHisindulgenceinthehourofneed。
MICHAEL——[loudly。]Stopyournoising，andsitdownbythehearth。[Giveshimapushandgoestocounterlaughing。]
SHAWN——[turningback，wringinghishands。]——Oh，FatherReillyandthesaintsofGod，wherewillIhidemyselfto-day？Oh，St。JosephandSt。
PatrickandSt。Brigid，andSt。James，havemercyonmenow！[Shawnturnsround，seesdoorclear，andmakesarushforit。]
MICHAEL——[catchinghimbythecoattail。]——You’dbegoing，isit？
SHAWN——[screaming。]Leavemego，MichaelJames，leavemego，youoldPagan，leavemego，orI’llgetthecurseofthepriestsonyou，andofthescarlet-coatedbishopsofthecourtsofRome。[Withasuddenmovementhepullshimselfoutofhiscoat，anddisappearsoutofthedoor，leavinghiscoatinMichael’shands。]
MICHAEL——[turninground，andholdingupcoat。]——Well，there’sthecoatofaChristianman。Oh，there’ssaintedglorythisdayinthelonesomewest；andbythewillofGodI’vegotyouadecentman，Pegeen，you’llhavenocalltobespyingafterifyou’veascoreofyounggirls，maybe，weedinginyourfields。
PEGEEN[takingupthedefenceofherproperty。]——Whatrighthaveyoutobemakinggameofapoorfellowformindingthepriest，whenit’syourownthefaultis，notpayingapennypot-boytostandalongwithmeandgivemecourageinthedoingofmywork？[Shesnapsthecoatawayfromhim，andgoesbehindcounterwithit。]
MICHAEL——[takenaback。]——WherewouldIgetapot-boy？Wouldyouhavemesendthebell-manscreaminginthestreetsofCastlebar？
SHAWN——[openingthedoorachinkandputtinginhishead，inasmallvoice。]
——MichaelJames！
MICHAEL——[imitatinghim。]——Whatailsyou？
SHAWN。Thequeerdyingfellow’sbeyondlookingovertheditch。He’scomeup，I’mthinking，stealingyourhens。（Looksoverhisshoulder。）Godhelpme，he’sfollowingmenow（herunsintoroom），andifhe’sheardwhatIsaid，he’llbehavingmylife，andIgoinghomelonesomeinthedarknessofthenight。[Foraperceptiblemomenttheywatchthedoorwithcuriosity。Someonecoughsoutside。ThenChristyMahon，aslightyoungman，comesinverytiredandfrightenedanddirty。]
CHRISTY——[inasmallvoice。]——Godsaveallhere！
MEN。Godsaveyoukindly。
CHRISTY——[goingtothecounter。]——I’dtroubleyouforaglassofporter，womanofthehouse。[Heputsdowncoin。]
PEGEEN——[servinghim。]——You’reoneofthetinkers，youngfellow，isbeyondcampedintheglen？
CHRISTY。Iamnot；butI’mdestroyedwalking。
MICHAEL——[patronizingly。]Letyoucomeupthentothefire。You’relookingfamishedwiththecold。
CHRISTY。Godrewardyou。（Hetakesuphisglassandgoesalittlewayacrosstotheleft，thenstopsandlooksabouthim。）Isitoftenthepolicedobecomingintothisplace，masterofthehouse？
MICHAEL。Ifyou’dcomeinbetterhours，you’dhaveseen\"LicensedforthesaleofBeerandSpirits，tobeconsumedonthepremises，\"writteninwhitelettersabovethedoor，andwhatwouldthepoliswantspyingonme，andnotadecenthousewithinfourmiles，thewayeverylivingChristianisabonafide，savingonewidowalone？
CHRISTY——[withrelief。]——It’sasafehouse，so。[Hegoesovertothefire，sighingandmoaning。Thenhesitsdown，puttinghisglassbesidehimandbeginsgnawingaturnip，toomiserabletofeeltheothersstaringathimwithcuriosity。]
MICHAEL——[goingafterhim。]——Isityourselffearingthepolis？You’rewanting，maybe？
CHRISTY。There’smanywanting。
MICHAEL。Manysurely，withthebrokenharvestandtheendedwars。（Hepicksupsomestockings，etc。，thatarenearthefire，andcarriesthemawayfurtively。）Itshouldbelarceny，I’mthinking？
CHRISTY——[dolefully。]Ihaditinmyminditwasadifferentwordandabigger。
PEGEEN。There’saqueerlad。Wereyouneverslappedinschool，youngfellow，thatyoudon’tknowthenameofyourdeed？
CHRISTY——[bashfully。]I’mslowatlearning，amiddlingscholaronly。
MICHAEL。Ifyou’readunceitself，you’dhavearighttoknowthatlarceny’srobbingandstealing。Isitforthelikeofthatyou’rewanting？
CHRISTY——[withaflashoffamilypride。]——AndIthesonofastrongfarmer（withasuddenqualm），Godresthissoul，couldhaveboughtupthewholeofyouroldhouseawhilesince，fromthebuttofhistailpocket，andnothavemissedtheweightofitgone。
MICHAEL——[impressed。]Ifit’snotstealing，it’smaybesomethingbig。
CHRISTY——[flattered。]Aye；it’smaybesomethingbig。
JIMMY。He’sawicked-lookingyoungfellow。Maybehefollowedafterayoungwomanonalonesomenight。
CHRISTY——[shocked。]Oh，thesaintsforbid，mister；Iwasalltimesadecentlad。
PHILLY——[turningonJimmy。]——You’reasillyman，JimmyFarrell。Hesaidhisfatherwasafarmerawhilesince，andthere’shimselfnowinapoorstate。Maybethelandwasgrabbedfromhim，andhedidwhatanydecentmanwoulddo。
MICHAEL——[toChristy，mysteriously。]——Wasitbailiffs？
CHRISTY。Thedivilaone。
MICHAEL。Agents？
CHRISTY。Thedivilaone。
MICHAEL。Landlords？
CHRISTY——[peevishly。]Ah，notatall，I’msaying。You’dseethelikeofthemstoriesonanylittlepaperofaMunstertown。ButI’mnotcallingtomindanyperson，gentle，simple，judgeorjury，didthelikeofme。[Theyalldrawnearerwithdelightedcuriosity。]
PHILLY。Well，thatlad’sapuzzle——theworld。
JIMMY。He’dbeatDanDavies’circus，ortheholymissionersmakingsermonsonthevillainyofman。Tryhimagain，Philly。
PHILLY。Didyoustrikegoldenguineasoutofsolder，youngfellow，orshillingcoinsitself？
CHRISTY。Ididnot，mister，notsixpencenorafarthingcoin。
JIMMY。Didyoumarrythreewivesmaybe？I’mtoldthere’sasprinklinghavedonethatamongtheholyLuthersofthepreachingnorth。
CHRISTY——[shyly。]——Inevermarriedwithone，letalonewithacoupleorthree。
PHILLY。MaybehewentfightingfortheBoers，thelikeofthemanbeyond，wasjudgedtobehanged，quarteredanddrawn。Wereyouoffeast，youngfellow，fightingbloodywarsforKrugerandthefreedomoftheBoers？
CHRISTY。IneverleftmyownparishtillTuesdaywasaweek。
PEGEEN——[comingfromcounter。]——He’sdonenothing，so。（ToChristy。）Ifyoudidn’tcommitmurderorabad，nastything，orfalsecoining，orrobbery，orbutchery，orthelikeofthem，thereisn’tanythingthatwouldbeworthyourtroublingfortorunfromnow。Youdidnothingatall。
CHRISTY——[hisfeelingshurt。]——That’sanunkindlythingtobesayingtoapoororphanedtraveller，hasaprisonbehindhim，andhangingbefore，andhell’sgapgapingbelow。
PEGEEN[withasigntothementobequiet。]——You’reonlysayingit。Youdidnothingatall。Asoftladthelikeofyouwouldn’tslitthewindpipeofascreechingsow。
CHRISTY——[offended。]You’renotspeakingthetruth。
PEGEEN——[inmockrage。]——Notspeakingthetruth，isit？Wouldyouhavemeknocktheheadofyouwiththebuttofthebroom？
CHRISTY——[twistingroundonherwithasharpcryofhorror。]——Don’tstrikeme。Ikilledmypoorfather，Tuesdaywasaweek，fordoingthelikeofthat。
PEGEEN[withblankamazement。]——Isitkilledyourfather？
CHRISTY——[subsiding。]WiththehelpofGodIdidsurely，andthattheHolyImmaculateMothermayintercedeforhissoul。
PHILLY——[retreatingwithJimmy。]——There’sadaringfellow。
JIMMY。Oh，glorybetoGod！
MICHAEL——[withgreatrespect。]——Thatwasahangingcrime，misterhoney。
Youshouldhavehadgoodreasonfordoingthelikeofthat。
CHRISTY——[inaveryreasonabletone。]——Hewasadirtyman，Godforgivehim，andhegettingoldandcrusty，thewayIcouldn’tputupwithhimatall。
PEGEEN。Andyoushothimdead？
CHRISTY——[shakinghishead。]——Ineverusedweapons。I’venolicense，andI’malaw-fearingman。
MICHAEL。Itwaswithahiltedknifemaybe？I’mtold，inthebigworldit’sbloodyknivestheyuse。
CHRISTY——[loudly，scandalized。]——Doyoutakemeforaslaughter-boy？
PEGEEN。Youneverhangedhim，thewayJimmyFarrellhangedhisdogfromthelicense，andhaditscreechingandwrigglingthreehoursatthebuttofastring，andhimselfswearingitwasadeaddog，andthepeelersswearingithadlife？
CHRISTY。Ididnotthen。Ijustriztheloyandletfalltheedgeofitontheridgeofhisskull，andhewentdownatmyfeetlikeanemptysack，andneverletagruntorgroanfromhimatall。
MICHAEL——[makingasigntoPegeentofillChristy’sglass。]——Andwhatwayweren’tyouhanged，mister？Didyouburyhimthen？
CHRISTY——[considering。]Aye。Iburiedhimthen。Wasn’tIdiggingspudsinthefield？
MICHAEL。Andthepeelersneverfollowedafteryoutheelevendaysthatyou’reout？
CHRISTY——[shakinghishead。]——Neveraoneofthem，andIwalkingforwardfacinghog，dog，ordivilonthehighwayoftheroad。
PHILLY——[noddingwisely。]——It’sonlywithacommonweek-daykindofamurdererthemladswouldbetrustingtheircarcase，andthatmanshouldbeagreatterrorwhenhistemper’sroused。
MICHAEL。Heshouldthen。（ToChristy。）Andwherewasit，misterhoney，thatyoudidthedeed？
CHRISTY——[lookingathimwithsuspicion。]——Oh，adistantplace，masterofthehouse，awindycornerofhigh，distanthills。
PHILLY——[noddingwithapproval。]——He’sacloseman，andhe’sright，surely。
PEGEEN。That’dbealadwiththesenseofSolomontohaveforapot-boy，MichaelJames，ifit’sthetruthyou’reseekingoneatall。
PHILLY。Thepeelersisfearinghim，andifyou’dthatladinthehousethereisn’toneofthemwouldcomesmellingaroundifthedogsitselfwerelappingpoteenfromthedungpitoftheyard。
JIMMY。Bravery’satreasureinalonesomeplace，andaladwouldkillhisfather，I’mthinking，wouldfaceafoxydivilwithapitchpikeontheflagsofhell。
PEGEEN。It’sthetruththey’resaying，andifI’dthatladinthehouse，I
wouldn’tbefearingtheloosedkharkicut-throats，orthewalkingdead。
CHRISTY——[swellingwithsurpriseandtriumph。]——Well，glorybetoGod！
MICHAEL——[withdeference。]——Wouldyouthinkwelltostophereandbepot-boy，misterhoney，ifwegaveyougoodwages，anddidn’tdestroyyouwiththeweightofwork？
SHAWN——[comingforwarduneasily。]——That’dbeaqueerkindtobringintoadecentquiethouseholdwiththelikeofPegeenMike。
PEGEEN——[verysharply。]——Willyouwhisht？Who’sspeakingtoyou？
SHAWN——[retreating。]Abloody-handedmurdererthelikeof……
PEGEEN——[snappingathim。]——WhishtIamsaying；we’lltakenofoolingfromyourlikeatall。（ToChristywithahoneyedvoice。）Andyou，youngfellow，you’dhavearighttostop，I’mthinking，forwe’ddoourallandutmosttocontentyourneeds。
CHRISTY——[overcomewithwonder。]——AndI’dbesafeinthisplacefromthesearchinglaw？
MICHAEL。Youwould，surely。Ifthey’renotfearingyou，itself，thepeelersinthisplaceisdecentdroughtypoorfellows，wouldn’ttouchacurdogandnotgivewarninginthedeadofnight。
PEGEEN——[verykindlyandpersuasively。]——Letyoustopashortwhileanyhow。Aren’tyoudestroyedwalkingwithyourfeetinbleedingblisters，andyourwholeskinneedingwashinglikeaWicklowsheep。
CHRISTY——[lookingroundwithsatisfaction。]It’saniceroom，andifit’snothumbuggingmeyouare，I’mthinkingthatI’llsurelystay。
JIMMY——[jumpsup。]——Now，bythegraceofGod，herselfwillbesafethisnight，withamankilledhisfatherholdingdangerfromthedoor，andletyoucomeon，MichaelJames，orthey’llhavethebeststuffdrunkatthewake。
MICHAEL——[goingtothedoorwithmen。]Andbeggingyourpardon，mister，whatnamewillwecallyou，forwe’dliketoknow？
CHRISTY。ChristopherMahon。
MICHAEL。Well，Godblessyou，Christy，andagoodresttillwemeetagainwhenthesun’llberisingtothenoonofday。
CHRISTY。Godblessyouall。
MEN。Godblessyou。[TheygooutexceptShawn，wholingersatdoor。]
SHAWN——[toPegeen。]——Areyouwantingmetostopalongwithyouandkeepyoufromharm？
PEGEEN——[gruffly。]Didn’tyousayyouwerefearingFatherReilly？
SHAWN。There’dbenoharmstayingnow，I’mthinking，andhimselfinittoo。
PEGEEN。Youwouldn’tstaywhentherewasneedforyou，andletyoustepoffnimblethistimewhenthere’snone。
SHAWN。Didn’tIsayitwasFatherReilly……
PEGEEN。Goon，then，toFatherReilly（inajeeringtone），andlethimputyouintheholybrotherhoods，andleavethatladtome。
SHAWN。IfImeettheWidowQuin……
PEGEEN。Goon，I’msaying，anddon’tbewakingthisplacewithyournoise。
（Shehustleshimoutandboltsthedoor。）Thatladwouldwearthespiritsfromthesaintsofpeace。（Bustlesabout，thentakesoffherapronandpinsitupinthewindowasablind。Christywatchinghertimidly。Thenshecomestohimandspeakswithblandgood-humour。）Letyoustretchoutnowbythefire，youngfellow。Youshouldbedestroyedtravelling。
CHRISTY——[shylyagain，drawingoffhisboots。）I’mtired，surely，walkingwildelevendays，andwakingfearfulinthenight。[Heholdsuponeofhisfeet，feelinghisblisters，andlookingatthemwithcompassion。]
PEGEEN——[standingbesidehim，watchinghimwithdelight。]——Youshouldhavehadgreatpeopleinyourfamily，I’mthinking，withthelittle，smallfeetyouhave，andyouwithakindofaqualityname，thelikeofwhatyou’dfindonthegreatpowersandpotentatesofFranceandSpain。
CHRISTY——[withpride。]——Weweregreatsurely，withwideandwindyacresofrichMunsterland。
PEGEEN。Wasn’tItellingyou，andyouafine，handsomeyoungfellowwithanoblebrow？
CHRISTY——[withaflashofdelightedsurprise。]Isitme？
PEGEEN。Aye。Didyouneverhearthatfromtheyounggirlswhereyoucomefrominthewestorsouth？
CHRISTY——[withvenom。]——Ididnotthen。Oh，they’rebloodyliarsinthenakedparishwhereIgrewaman。
PEGEEN。Iftheyareitself，you’vehearditthesedays，I’mthinking，andyouwalkingtheworldtellingoutyourstorytoyounggirlsorold。
CHRISTY。I’vetoldmystorynoplacetillthisnight，PegeenMike，andit’sfoolishIwashere，maybe，tobetalkingfree，butyou’redecentpeople，I’mthinking，andyourselfakindlywoman，thewayIwasn’tfearingyouatall。
PEGEEN——[fillingasackwithstraw。]——You’vesaidthelikeofthat，maybe，ineverycotandcabinwhereyou’vemetayounggirlonyourway。
CHRISTY——[goingovertoher，graduallyraisinghisvoice。]——I’vesaiditnowheretillthisnight，I’mtellingyou，forI’veseennonethelikeofyoutheelevenlongdaysIamwalkingtheworld，lookingoveralowditchorahighditchonmynorthormysouth，intostonyscatteredfields，orscribesofbog，whereyou’dseeyoung，limbergirls，andfineprancingwomenmakinglaughterwiththemen。
PEGEEN。Ifyouweren’tdestroyedtravelling，you’dhaveasmuchtalkandstreeleen，I’mthinking，asOwenRoeO’SullivanorthepoetsoftheDingleBay，andI’veheardalltimesit’sthepoetsareyourlike，finefieryfellowswithgreatrageswhentheirtemper’sroused。
CHRISTY——[drawingalittlenearertoher。]——You’veapowerofrings，Godblessyou，andwouldtherebeanyoffenceifIwasaskingareyousinglenow？
PEGEEN。WhatwouldIwantweddingsoyoung？
CHRISTY——[withrelief。]——We’realike，so。
PEGEEN——[sheputssackonsettleandbeatsitup。]——Ineverkilledmyfather。I’dbeafeardtodothat，exceptIwasthelikeofyourselfwithblindragestearingmewithin，forI’mthinkingyoushouldhavehadgreattusslingwhentheendwascome。
CHRISTY——[expandingwithdelightatthefirstconfidentialtalkhehaseverhadwithawoman。]——Wehadnotthen。Itwasahardwomanwascomeoverthehill，andifhewasalwaysacrustykindwhenhe’dahardwomansettinghimon，notthedivilhimselforhisfourfatherscouldputupwithhimatall。
PEGEEN——[withcuriosity。]——Andisn’titagreatwonderthatonewasn’tfearingyou？
CHRISTY——[veryconfidentially。]——UptothedayIkilledmyfather，therewasn’tapersoninIrelandknewthekindIwas，andItheredrinking，waking，eating，sleeping，aquiet，simplepoorfellowwithnomangivingmeheed。
PEGEEN——[gettingaquiltoutofthecupboardandputtingitonthesack。]——
Itwasthegirlsweregivingyouheedmaybe，andI’mthinkingit’smostconceityou’dhavetobegamingwiththeirlike。
CHRISTY——[shakinghishead，withsimplicity。]Notthegirlsitself，andI
won’ttellyoualie。Therewasn’tanyoneheedingmeinthatplacesavingonlythedumbbeastsofthefield。[Hesitsdownatfire。]
PEGEEN——[withdisappointment。]——AndIthinkingyoushouldhavebeenlivingthelikeofakingofNorwayortheEasternworld。[Shecomesandsitsbesidehimafterplacingbreadandmugofmilkonthetable。]
CHRISTY——[laughingpiteously。]——Thelikeofaking，isit？AndIaftertoiling，moiling，digging，dodgingfromthedawntillduskwithneverasightofjoyorsportsavingonlywhenI’dbeabroadinthedarknightpoachingrabbitsonhills，forIwasadeviltopoach，Godforgiveme，（verynaively）
andIneargotsixmonthsforgoingwithadungforkandstabbingafish。
PEGEEN。Andit’sthatyou’dcallsport，isit，tobeabroadinthedarknesswithyourselfalone？
CHRISTY。Idid，Godhelpme，andthereI’dbeashappyasthesunshineofSt。
Martin’sDay，watchingthelightpassingthenorthorthepatchesoffog，tillI’dheararabbitstartingtoscreechandI’dgorunninginthefurze。ThenwhenI’dmyfullshareI’dcomewalkingdownwhereyou’dseetheducksandgeesestretchedsleepingonthehighwayoftheroad，andbeforeI’dpassthedunghill，I’dhearhimselfsnoringout，aloudlonesomesnorehe’dbemakingalltimes，thewhilehewassleeping，andheaman’dberagingalltimes，thewhilehewaswaking，likeagaudyofficeryou’dhearcursinganddamningandswearingoaths。
PEGEEN。ProvidenceandMercy，spareusall！
CHRISTY。It’sthatyou’dsaysurelyifyouseenhimandheafterdrinkingforweeks，risingupinthereddawn，orbeforeitmaybe，andgoingoutintotheyardasnakedasanashtreeinthemoonofMay，andshyingclodsagainstthevisageofthestarstillhe’dputthefearofdeathintothebanbhsandthescreechingsows。
PEGEEN。I’dbewell-nightafeardofthatladmyself，I’mthinking。Andtherewasnooneinitbutthetwoofyoualone？
CHRISTY。Thedivilaone，thoughhe’dsonsanddaughterswalkingallgreatstatesandterritoriesoftheworld，andnotaoneofthem，tothisday，butwouldsaytheirsevencursesonhim，andtheyrousinguptoletacoughorsneeze，maybe，inthedeadnessofthenight。
PEGEEN[noddingherhead。]——Well，youshouldhavebeenaqueerlot。I
nevercursedmyfatherthelikeofthat，thoughI’mtwentyandmoreyearsofage。
CHRISTY。Thenyou’dhavecursedmine，I’mtellingyou，andheamannevergavepeacetoany，savingwhenhe’dgettwomonthsorthree，orbelockedintheasylumsforbatteringpeelersorassaultingmen（withdepression）thewayitwasabitterlifeheledmetillIdidupaTuesdayandhalvehisskull。
PEGEEN——[puttingherhandonhisshoulder。]——Well，you’llhavepeaceinthisplace，ChristyMahon，andnonetotroubleyou，andit’sneartimeafineladlikeyoushouldhaveyourgoodshareoftheearth。
CHRISTY。It’stimesurely，andIaseemlyfellowwithgreatstrengthinmeandbraveryof……[Someoneknocks。]
CHRISTY——[clingingtoPegeen。]——Oh，glory！it’slateforknocking，andthislastwhileI’minterrorofthepeelers，andthewalkingdead。[Knockingagain。]
PEGEEN。Who’sthere？
VOICE——[outside。]Me。
PEGEEN。Who’sme？
VOICE。TheWidowQuin。
PEGEEN[jumpingupandgivinghimthebreadandmilk。]——Goonnowwithyoursupper，andletontobesleepy，forifshefoundyouweresuchawarranttotalk，she’dbestringinggabbletillthedawnofday。（Hetakesbreadandsitsshylywithhisbacktothedoor。）
PEGEEN[openingdoor，withtemper。]——Whatailsyou，orwhatisityou’rewantingatthishourofthenight？
WIDOWQUIN——[cominginastepandpeeringatChristy。]——I’maftermeetingShawnKeoghandFatherReillybelow，whotoldmeofyourcuriosityman，andtheyfearingbythistimehewasmayberoaring，rompingonyourhandswithdrink。
PEGEEN[pointingtoChristy。]——Looknowisheroaring，andhestretchedawaydrowsywithhissupperandhismugofmilk。WalkdownandtellthattoFatherReillyandtoShaneenKeogh。
WIDOWQUIN——[comingforward。]——I’llnotseethemagain，forI’vetheirwordtoleadthatladforwardfortolodgewithme。
PEGEEN——[inblankamazement。]——Thisnight，isit？
WIDOWQUIN——[goingover。]——Thisnight。\"Itisn’tfitting，\"saysthepriesteen，\"tohavehislikenesslodgingwithanorphanedgirl。\"（ToChristy。）Godsaveyou，mister！
CHRISTY——[shyly。]——Godsaveyoukindly。
WIDOWQUIN——[lookingathimwithhalf-amazedcuriosity。]——Well，aren’tyoualittlesmilingfellow？Itshouldhavebeengreatandbittertormentsdidrouseyourspiritstoadeedofblood。
CHRISTY——[doubtfully。]Itshould，maybe。
WIDOWQUIN。It’smorethan\"maybe\"I’msaying，andit’dsoftenmyhearttoseeyousittingsosimplewithyourcupandcake，andyoufittertobesayingyourcatechismthanslayingyourda。
PEGEEN——[atcounter，washingglasses。]——There’stalkingwhenany’dseehe’sfittobeholdinghisheadhighwiththewondersoftheworld。Walkonfromthis，forI’llnothavehimtormentedandhedestroyedtravellingsinceTuesdaywasaweek。
WIDOWQUIN——[peaceably。]We’llbewalkingsurelywhenhissupper’sdone，andyou’llfindwe’regreatcompany，youngfellow，whenit’softhelikeofyouandmeyou’dhearthepennypoetssinginginanAugustFair。
CHRISTY——[innocently。]Didyoukillyourfather？
PEGEEN——[contemptuously。]Shedidnot。Shehithimselfwithawornpick，andtherustedpoisondidcorrodehisbloodthewayheneveroveredit，anddiedafter。Thatwasasneakykindofmurderdidwinsmallglorywiththeboysitself。[ShecrossestoChristy’sleft。]
WIDOWQUIN——[withgood-humour。]——Ifitdidn’t，maybeallknowsawidowwomanhasburiedherchildrenanddestroyedhermanisawisercomradeforayoungladthanagirl，thelikeofyou，who’dgohelter-skelteringafteranymanwouldletyouawinkupontheroad。
PEGEEN——[breakingoutintowildrage。]——Andyou’llsaythat，WidowQuin，andyougaspingwiththerageyouhadracingthehillbeyondtolookonhisface。
WIDOWQUIN——[laughingderisively。]——Me，isit？Well，FatherReillyhascutenesstodivideyounow。（ShepullsChristyup。）There’sgreattemptationinamandidslayhisda，andwe’dbestbegoing，youngfellow；soriseupandcomewithme。
PEGEEN——[seizinghisarm。]——He’llnotstir。He’spot-boyinthisplace，andI’llnothavehimstolenoffandkidnabbedwhilehimself’sabroad。
WIDOWQUIN。It’dbeacrazypot-boy’dlodgehimintheshebeenwhereheworksbyday，soyou’dhavearighttocomeon，youngfellow，tillyouseemylittlehouseen，aperchoffontherisinghill。
PEGEEN。Waittillmorning，ChristyMahon。Waittillyoulayeyesonherleakythatchisgrowingmorepastureforherbuckgoatthanhersquareoffields，andshewithoutatrampitselftokeepinorderherplaceatall。
WIDOWQUIN。Whenyouseemecontrivinginmylittlegardens，ChristyMahon，you’llsweartheLordGodformedmetobelivinglone，andthatthereisn’tmymatchinMayoforthatching，ormowing，orshearingasheep。
PEGEEN——[withnoisyscorn。]——It’struetheLordGodformedyoutocontriveindeed。Doesn’ttheworldknowyourearedablacklambatyourownbreast，sothattheLordBishopofConnaughtfelttheelementsofaChristian，andheeatingitafterinakidneystew？Doesn’ttheworldknowyou’vebeenseenshavingthefoxyskipperfromFranceforathreepennybitandasopofgrasstobaccowouldwringtheliverfromamountaingoatyou’dmeetleapingthehills？
WIDOWQUIN——[withamusement。]——Doyouhearhernow，youngfellow？Doyouhearthewayshe’llberatingatyourownselfwhenaweekisby？
PEGEEN——[toChristy。]——Don’theedher。Tellhertogointoherpigstyandnotplagueushere。
WIDOWQUIN。I’mgoing；buthe’llcomewithme。
PEGEEN——[shakinghim。]——Areyoudumb，youngfellow？
CHRISTY——[timidly，toWidowQuin。]——Godincreaseyou；butI’mpot-boyinthisplace，andit’shereI’dlieferstay。
PEGEEN——[triumphantly。]Nowyouhaveheardhim，andgoonfromthis。
WIDOWQUIN——[lookingroundtheroom。]——It’slonesomethishourcrossingthehill，andifhewon’tcomealongwithme，I’dhavearightmaybetostopthisnightwithyourselves。Letmestretchoutonthesettle，PegeenMike；
andhimselfcanliebythehearth。
PEGEEN——[shortandfiercely。]——Faith，Iwon’t。QuitofforIwillsendyounow。
WIDOWQUIN——[gatheringhershawlup。]——Well，it’saterrortobeagedascore。（ToChristy。）Godblessyounow，youngfellow，andletyoubewary，orthere’srighttormentwillawaityouhereifyougoromancingwithherlike，andshewaitingonly，astheybademesay，onasheepskinparchmenttobewedwithShawnKeoghofKillakeen。
CHRISTY——[goingtoPegeenassheboltsthedoor。]——What’sthatshe’saftersaying？
PEGEEN。Liesandblather，you’venocalltomind。Well，isn’tShawnKeoghanimpudentfellowtosendupspyingonme？WaittillIlayhandsonhim。Lethimwait，I’msaying。
CHRISTY。Andyou’renotweddinghimatall？
PEGEEN。Iwouldn’twedhimifabishopcamewalkingfortojoinushere。
CHRISTY。ThatGodinglorymaybethankedforthat。
PEGEEN。There’syourbednow。I’veputaquiltuponyouI’mafterquiltingawhilesincewithmyowntwohands，andyou’dbeststretchoutnowforyoursleep，andmayGodgiveyouagoodresttillIcallyouinthemorningwhenthecockswillcrow。
CHRISTY——[asshegoestoinnerroom。]——MayGodandMaryandSt。Patrickblessyouandrewardyou，foryourkindlytalk。（Sheshutsthedoorbehindher。Hesettleshisbedslowly，feelingthequiltwithimmensesatisfaction。]
——Well，it’sacleanbedandsoftwithit，andit’sgreatluckandcompanyI’vewonmeintheendoftime——twofinewomenfightingforthelikesofme——tillI’mthinkingthisnightwasn’tIafoolishfellownottokillmyfatherintheyearsgoneby。