"He's a Unionist," Henry replied.
It occurred to Marsh, in the middle of his reflections on Tom Arthurs, that he should ask Henry what he proposed to do for Ireland.
"I'd like to do work as big and fine as Arthurs does," he said. "Wouldn't you, Henry?"
"Yes."
"What do you propose to do, Henry?"
"I don't know. I haven't thought definitely about that sort of thing yet. I've just imagined I'd like to do something. I'm afraid I can't build ships!..."
"There are other things besides ships, Henry!"
"I know that. John, I'm going to say something that'll make you angry, but I can't help that. When Tom Arthurs was showing us over the Island, I couldn't help thinking that all that Gaelic movement was a frightful waste of time!" Marsh made a gesture, but Henry would not let him speak. "No, don't interrupt me, John," he said. "I must say what I feel. Look at the Language class at Ballymartin. What's been the good of all the work you put into it?"
"We've given them a knowledge of a national separateness, haven't we?"
"Have we? They were keener on the dances, John. I don't believe we've done anything of the sort, and if we had, I think it would be a pity!"