Mr. Quirke: I suppose I must go upstairs and ready myself for the meeting. If it wasn’t for the contract I have for the soldiers’ barracks and the Sergeant’s good word, I wouldn’t go anear it. (Goes into shop.)
Mrs. Delane: I should be making myself ready too. I must be in good time to see you being made an example of, Mr. Halvey. It is I myself was the first to say it; you will be a credit to the town. (Goes.)
Hyacinth: (In a tone of agony.) I wish I had never seen Cloon.
Fardy: What is on you?
Hyacinth: I wish I had never left Carrow. I wish I had been drowned the first day I thought of it, and I’d be better off.
Fardy: What is it ails you?
Hyacinth: I wouldn’t for the best pound ever I had be in this place to-day.
Fardy: I don’t know what you are talking about.
Hyacinth: To have left Carrow, if it was a poor place, where I had my comrades, and an odd spree, and a game of cards—and a coursing match coming on, and I promised a new greyhound from the city of Cork. I’ll die in this place, the way I am. I’ll be too much closed in.
Fardy: Sure it mightn’t be as bad as what you think.