Paul Ruttledge. Oh, I'll stand it well enough.
Tommy the Song. You're not like us that were reared to it. You were not born like us with wandering in the heart.
Paul Ruttledge. Oh yes, I have wandering in the heart. I got sick of these lighted rooms you were talking of just now.
Charlie Ward. That might be so. It's the dark is welcome to a man sometimes.
Paul Ruttledge. The dark. Yes, I think that is what I want. [Stands up.] The dark, where there is nothing that is anything, and nobody that is anybody; one can be free there, where there is nothing. Well, if you let me stay with you, I don't think you will hear any complaints from me. Charlie Ward, Paddy, and the rest of you, I want you to understand that from this out I am one of yourselves. I'll live as you live and do as you do.
[Johneen and other children come running in.
Johneen. I was on the top of the bank and I seen a priest coming down the cross-road with his ass. It's collecting he is. We're going to set ourselves here to beg something from him.
Another Child. [Breathlessly.] And he has a whole lot of things on the ass. A whole lot of things up behind him.
Another Child. O boys, O boys, we'll have our dealing trick out of them yet. The best way'll be—— [He suddenly catches sight of Paul Ruttledge.] Whist, ye divils ye, don't you see the new gentleman?
Paul Ruttledge. Speak out, boys; don't be afraid of me; I'm one of yourselves now.