Don't stop me, Michael James. Let me out of the door, I'm saying, for the love of the Almighty God. Let me out trying to dodge past him. Let me out of it and may God grant you His indulgence in the hour of need.

MICHAEL loudly. Stop your noising and sit down by the hearth. Gives him a push and goes to counter laughing.

SHAWN turning back, wringing his hands. Oh, Father Reilly and the saints of God, where will I hide myself today? Oh, St. Joseph and St. Patrick and St. Brigid and St. James, have mercy on me now! He turns round, sees door clear and makes a rush for it.

MICHAEL catching him by the coat-tail. You'd be going, is it?

SHAWN screaming. Leave me go, Michael James, leave me go, you old Pagan, leave me go or I'll get the curse of the priests on you, and of the scarlet- coated bishops of the courts of Rome. With a sudden movement he pulls himself out of his coat and disappears out of the door, leaving his coat in Michael's hands.

MICHAEL turning round, and holding up coat. Well, there's the coat of a Christian man. Oh, there's sainted glory this day in the lonesome west, and by the will of God I've got you a decent man, Pegeen, you'll have no call to be spying after if you've a score of young girls, maybe, weeding in your fields.

PEGEEN taking up the defence of her property. What right have you to be making game of a poor fellow for minding the priest when it's your own the fault is, not paying a penny pot-boy to stand along with me and give me courage in the doing of my work? She snaps the coat away from him, and goes behind counter with it.

MICHAEL taken aback. Where would I get a pot- boy? Would you have me send the bell-man screaming in the streets of Castlebar?

SHAWN opening the door a chink and putting in his head, in a small voice. Michael James!

MICHAEL imitating him. What ails you?

SHAWN. The queer dying fellow's beyond looking over the ditch. He's come up, I'm thinking, stealing your hens. Looks over his shoulder. God help me, he's following me now he runs into room, and if he's heard what I said, he'll be having my life and I going home lonesome in the darkness of the night.

 

For a perceptible moment they watch the door with curiosity. Someone coughs outside. Then Christy Mahon, a slight young man, comes in, very tired and frightened and dirty.

CHRISTY in a small voice. God save all here!

MEN. God save you kindly.

CHRISTY going to counter. I'd trouble you for a glass of porter, woman of the house. He puts down coin.

PEGEEN serving him.