The peelers is fearing him, and if you'd that lad in the house there isn't one of them would come smelling around if the dogs itself were lapping poteen from the dung-pit of the yard.

JIMMY. Bravery's a treasure in a lonesome place, and a lad would kill his father, I'm thinking, would face a foxy divil with a pitchpike on the flags of hell.

PEGEEN. It's the truth they're saying, and if I'd that lad in the house, I wouldn't be fearing the loosèd khaki cut-throats, or the walking dead.

CHRISTY swelling with surprise and triumph. Well, glory be to God!

MICHAEL with deference. Would you think well to stop here and be pot-boy, mister honey, if we gave you good wages, and didn't destroy you with the weight of work?

SHAWN coming forward uneasily. That'd be a queer kind to bring into a decent quiet household with the like of Pegeen Mike.

PEGEEN very sharply. Will you whisht. Who's speaking to you?

SHAWN retreating. A bloody-handed murderer the like of. ...

PEGEEN snapping at him. Whisht, I'm saying, we'll take no fooling from your like at all. To Christy with a honeyed voice. And you, young fellow, you'd have a right to stop I'm thinking, for we'd do our all and utmost to content your needs.

CHRISTY overcome with wonder. And I'd be safe this place from the searching law?

MICHAEL. You would surely. If they're not fearing you itself, the peelers in this place is decent, droughty poor fellows, wouldn't touch a cur dog and not give warning in the dead of night.

PEGEEN very kindly and persuasively. Let you stop a short while anyhow. Aren't you destroyed walking with your feet in bleeding blisters, and your whole skin needing washing like a Wicklow sheep.

CHRISTY looking round with satisfaction. It's a nice room, and if it's not humbugging me you are, I'm thinking that I'll surely stay.

JIMMY jumps up. Now, by the grace of God, herself will be safe this night, with a man killed his father holding danger from the door, and let you come on, Michael James, or they'll have the best stuff drunk at the wake.

MICHAEL going to the door with Men. And begging your pardon, mister, what name will we call you for we'd like to know.

CHRISTY. Christopher Mahon.

MICHAEL. Well, God bless you Christy, and a good rest till we meet again when the sun'll be rising to the noon of day.

CHRISTY. God bless you all.

MEN. God bless you. They go out except Shawn who lingers at door.

SHAWN to Pegeen. Are you wanting me to stop along with you and keep you from harm?

PEGEEN gruffly. Didn't you say you were fearing Father Reilly?

SHAWN. There'd be no harm staying now, I'm thinking, and himself in it too.

PEGEEN. You wouldn't stay when there was need for you, and let you step off nimble this time when there's none.

SHAWN.