JIMMY.
Well, there’s wonders hidden in the heart of man!
PHILLY.
suspiciously.—And what way was it done?
MAHON.
wandering about the room.—I’m after walking hundreds and long scores of miles, winning clean beds and the fill of my belly four times in the day, and I doing nothing but telling stories of that naked truth. (He comes to them a little aggressively.) Give me a supeen and I’ll tell you now. (Widow Quin comes in and stands aghast behind him. He is facing Jimmy and Philly, who are on the left.)
JIMMY.
Ask herself beyond. She’s the stuff hidden in her shawl.
WIDOW QUIN.
coming to Mahon quickly.—you here, is it? You didn’t go far at all?
MAHON.
I seen the coasting steamer passing, and I got a drought upon me and a cramping leg, so I said, “The divil go along with him,” and turned again. (Looking under her shawl.) And let you give me a supeen, for I’m destroyed travelling since Tuesday was a week.
WIDOW QUIN.
getting a glass, in a cajoling tone.—Sit down then by the fire and take your ease for a space. You’ve a right to be destroyed indeed, with your walking, and fighting, and facing the sun (giving him poteen from a stone jar she has brought in). There now is a drink for you, and may it be to your happiness and length of life.
MAHON.
taking glass greedily and sitting down by fire.—God increase you!
WIDOW QUIN.
taking men to the right stealthily.—Do you know what? That man’s raving from his wound to-day, for I met him a while since telling a rambling tale of a tinker had him destroyed. Then he heard of Christy’s deed, and he up and says it was his son had cracked his skull. O isn’t madness a fright, for he’ll go killing someone yet, and he thinking it’s the man has struck him so?
JIMMY.
entirely convinced.—It’s a fright, surely. I knew a party was kicked in the head by a red mare, and he went killing horses a great while, till he eat the insides of a clock and died after.