MAIRE
Maybe you'll be going to it this night week.

CONN
Sure you're not joking with me, Maire?

MAIRE
No.

She rises.

CONN
God forgive me, Maire, if I vexed you.

Maire goes up to Conn's room.

CONN
Anne, jewel, had Maire anything to say about Ardagh?

ANNE
We weren't talking about that at all.

JAMES Play me a rouse on the fiddle and maybe the ballad will come into my head.

Maire comes down, a fiddle in her hands.