Mrs. Delane: It’s not there now anyway.
Mr. Quirke: Didn’t you take notice of it there yourself this morning?
Mrs. Delane: I have it in my mind that I did; but it’s not there now.
Mr. Quirke: There was no one here could bring it away?
Mrs. Delane: Is it me myself you suspect of taking it, James Quirke?
Mr. Quirke: Where is it at all? It is certain it was not of itself it walked away. It was dead, and very dead, the time I bought it.
Mrs. Delane: I have a pleasant neighbour indeed that accuses me that I took his sheep. I wonder, indeed, you to say a thing like that! I to steal your sheep or your rack or anything that belongs to you or to your trade! Thank you, James Quirke. I am much obliged to you indeed.
Mr. Quirke: Ah, be quiet, woman; be quiet——
Mrs. Delane: And let me tell you, James Quirke, that I would sooner starve and see everyone belonging to me starve than to eat the size of a thimble of any joint that ever was on your rack or that ever will be on it, whatever the soldiers may eat that have no other thing to get, or the English that devour all sorts, or the poor ravenous people that’s down by the sea! (She turns to go into shop.)
Mr. Quirke: (Stopping her.) Don’t be talking foolishness, woman. Who said you took my meat? Give heed to me now. There must some other message have come. The Sergeant must have got some other message.