CONN Were you listening to the tune I was playing? Ah, that was a real oul tune, if there was anyone that knew it. Maire, my jewel, were you listening?
MAIRE
I heard you.
CONN It was a real oul' tune, and while I was playing it a great scheme came into my head. Now, listen to me, Maire; and you listen, too, Anne. Both of you would like to see your father having what's his due after all, honour and respect.
MAIRE
Both of us would like to see our father earn the same.
CONN
I could earn the same, ay, and gold and silver cups besides, if
I had the mind to earn them.
He puts fiddle on table and prepares to speak impressively.
CONN Let ye listen to me now; I've a scheme to put before ye. When I was going over the oul tune, I remembered that I'd heard of a Feis [2] that's coming on soon, the Feis of Ardagh. I'm thinking of going there. There will be great prizes for some one; I don't doubt but I'd do at Ardagh better than I did at the Feis of Granard, where people as high as bishops were proud and glad to know Conn Hourican the Fiddler.
[Footnote 2: Feis, pronounced Fesh, a musical or literary gathering, with competitions.]
ANNE
Father, you've a place to mind.
CONN I'm tired of that kind of talk; sure I'm always thinking of the place. Maire hasn't little notions. What do you say to it, Maire, my girl?