CHARACTERS

PETER GILLANE.
MICHAEL GILLANE his son, going to be married.
PATRICK GILLANE a lad of twelve, Michael's brother.
BRIDGET GILLANE Peter's wife.
DELIA CAHEL engaged to MICHAEL.
THE POOR OLD WOMAN.
NEIGHBOURS.

Scene: Interior of a cottage close to Killala, in 1798. Bridget is standing at a table undoing a parcel. Peter is sitting at one side of the fire, Patrick at the other.

Peter. What is that sound I hear?

Patrick. I don't hear anything. [He listens.] I hear it now. It's like cheering. [He goes to the window and looks out.] I wonder what they are cheering about. I don't see anybody.

Peter. It might be a hurling match.

Patrick. There's no hurling to-day. It must be down in the town the cheering is.

Bridget. I suppose the boys must be having some sport of their own. Come over here, Peter, and look at Michael's wedding-clothes.

Peter [shifts his chair to table]. Those are grand clothes, indeed.

Bridget. You hadn't clothes like that when you married me, and no coat to put on of a Sunday any more than any other day.