First Hag: They are making too much delay.
Second Hag: I see a hint of the livery of the poorhouse coming through the crowd.
First Hag: The men of the Union are coming to bring her away, McDonough. There is nothing more to be done. She will get her burial from the rates.
McDonough: Oh, Catherine, Catherine! Is it I myself have brought you to that shame and that disgrace!
Second Hag: You are making too much of it. Little it will signify, and we to be making clay, who was it dug a hole through the nettles or lifted down the sods over our head.
First Hag: That is so. What signifies she to be followed or to be going her lone, and her eyes being shut to the world?
McDonough: Is that the thought ye have within ye, ye Galway hags? It is easy known it is in a trader's town you were bred, and in a street among dealers.
First Hag: I was but saying it does not signify.
McDonough: But I say it does signify! I will tell that out to you and the world! That might be the thought of a townsman or a trader, or a rich merchant itself that had his estate gained by trafficking, for that is a sort does be thinking more of what they can make out of the living than of keeping a good memory of the dead!
First Hag: There are worthier men than yourself, maybe, in storehouses and in shops.