JAMES Well, long life to you, Conn; and may the man of art never want fame nor a friend.
CONN (going to dresser) Drink to that, James.
He takes up a bottle and fills two glasses.
JAMES
I never touch anything, Conn; but if Anne won't think bad of me,
I'll drink to your prosperity.
ANNE
I won't be watching you at all. (She goes to door. To Maire)
I'm going down the road, and if there's any one coming here, I'll
let you know.
Anne goes out. James takes the glass from Conn.
JAMES Here's to the fiddler, first of all. May it be again like in the days of Ireland's glory, when the men of art had their rights and their dues.
He drinks.
CONN Long life to yourself, James Moynihan. (Conn drinks) I know you a long time now, and I know nothing to your discredit. You're one of the few people here that are to my liking. Well, if I'm nothing to them, they're nothing to me. I lived my own life, and I had the gift.
JAMES (with excitement) If Anne was here, I'd drink to her. I must go after Anne. May she never repent of her choice. (He goes to the door, then turns round) But sure I'm forgetting the jewel of them all, yourself, Maire Hourican. Long may you reign in splendour and success, and in the wish of your heart.