Father John. Maybe to-day, maybe to-morrow; it is hard to be certain.
Biddy. If it is away he is, he might be away seven years. To be lying like a stump of a tree and using no food and the world not able to knock a word out of him, I know the signs of it well.
Johnny B. We cannot be waiting and watching through seven years. If the business he has started is to be done, we have to go on here and now. The time there is any delay, that is the time the Government will get information. Waken him now, Father, and you'll get the blessing of the generations.
Father John. I will not bring him back. God will bring him back in His own good time. For all I know he may be seeing the hidden things of God.
Johnny B. He might slip away in his dream. It is best to raise him up now.
Andrew. Waken him, Father John. I thought he was surely dead this time; and what way could I go face Thomas through all that is left of my lifetime after me standing up to face him the way I did? And if I do take a little drop of an odd night, sure I'd be very lonesome if I did not take it. All the world knows it's not for love of what I drink, but for love of the people that do be with me! Waken him, Father, or maybe I would waken him myself. [Shakes him.]
Father John. Lift your hand from touching him. Leave him to himself and to the power of God.
Johnny B. If you will not bring him back, why wouldn't we ourselves do it? Go on now, it is best for you to do it yourself.
Father John. I woke him yesterday. He was angry with me; he could not get to the heart of the command.
Johnny B. If he did not, he got a command from myself that satisfied him, and a message.