MAIRE (resistance in her voice) Stay here with us, and let all that go by.

BRIAN
Hugh will be there with that woman that brought him the big
fortune; and I want you to take the shine out of her.

MAIRE
(rising) I was out often lately.  You know that, Brian.

  She goes to chair at table, and sits away from him.

BRIAN (rising and going to her) But this night above all you must be with me.

MAIRE (turning to him impulsively) Stay here and I’ll be as nice to you as if we were in another house. (He kisses her.  She rises and goes from him) If you knew me at all, Brian MacConnell, that’s not the way you’d treat me.

BRIAN
Are you not coming out with me?

MAIRE
You must leave me to myself now. (Conn Hourican comes in) Is
Anne with you, father?

CONN
She’s gathering posies or something like that.  Brian, did you
hear about the Feis at Ardagh?

MAIRE
(with vehemence) Oh, what’s the good of talking about that? 
You can’t go.

CONN
Can’t go, did you say, girl?

MAIRE
Oh, how could you go?

CONN
Is that the way?  Well, God help us.  Give me that fiddle till I
leave it up.

  He takes the fiddle off dresser, and turns to go.

MAIRE
Father, let me be with you to-night; oh, I’m sorry if I vexed
you. (No reply) Well, stay with Brian MacConnell; I’m going out to
Anne.

  Maire goes out.  Brian goes to rack, and puts on his coat.

BRIAN
Are you coming, Conn?  I’m off.

CONN
Where to, man?

BRIAN
To Flynn’s.

CONN
I can’t be going, I’m sorry to say.

BRIAN
I’m going anyway.  It’s a great thing to be in the company of
men.

CONN
Ay, in troth.  Women, Brian, leave the heart of one very lonesome.

BRIAN (masterfully) Why can’t you come out?  I thought you were going to-night.

CONN
I can’t, Brian, and that reminds me.  Give these few shillings
to Flynn for me.  I’ll owe them to you still.

BRIAN
I’m not going to be bothered by the like.  Why can’t you come?

CONN
I promised Maire.

  Brian strides away.  He turns, comes back deliberately, and sits on
  table beside Conn.

BRIAN
They’ll be all looking out for you at Flynn’s.

CONN
Well, the next time they see me they may respect me.

BRIAN
Some of the boys will take it very unkindly.  CONN They’re
decent enough fellows, some of them.

BRIAN
And above all nights they’ll be watching out for you this night,
on account of the Sligomen.

CONN
They’re decent enough fellows, as I said, and I’ll be sorry to
disappoint them.

BRIAN
The Sligomen will have great stories about Shawn Heffernan.