NORA (getting the bundle from the loft). The young priest said he'd be passing to-morrow, and we might go down and speak to him below if it's Michael's they are surely.
CATHLEEN (taking the bundle). Did he say what way they were found?
NORA (coming down). "There were two men," says he, "and they rowing round with poteen before the cocks crowed, and the oar of one of them caught the body, and they passing the black cliffs of the north."
CATHLEEN (trying to open the bundle). Give me a knife, Nora; the string's perished with the salt water, and there's a black knot on it you wouldn't loosen in a week.
NORA (giving her a knife). I've heard tell it was a long way to
Donegal.
CATHLEEN (cutting the string). It is surely. There was a man in here a while ago—the man sold us that knife—and he said if you set off walking from the rocks beyond, it would be seven days you'd be in Donegal.
NORA. And what time would a man take, and he floating?
(CATHLEEN opens the bundle and takes out a bit of a stocking.
They look at them eagerly.)
CATHLEEN (in a low voice). The Lord spare us, Nora! Isn't it a queer hard thing to say if it's his they are surely?
NORA. I'll get his shirt off the hook the way we can put the one flannel on the other. (She looks through some clothes hanging in the corner) It's not with them, Cathleen, and where will it be?