A week later:  The scene is as in previous Acts.  The table is near entrance.  It is laid for a meal.  The time is near sunset.  Conn Hourican, Maire Hourican, and James Moynihan are seated at table.  Maire Hourican rises.  She goes to entrance and remains looking out.  Conn and James go on eating.

CONN However it is, I could never play my best in this place.  The houses are too scattered, I often think.  And it doesn’t do for the fiddler to remain too long in the one place.  The people get too used to him.  Virgil made better songs than any man, but if Virgil was sung in the fairs constant, divil much heed would be given to his songs.

JAMES
Now, I often thought of that.

CONN
Another thing, James Moynihan, Ribbonism and the Land League
ruined the country.

  Maire goes out.

JAMES
But sure we must be doing something for the Cause.

CONN
They were all Fenians here when I came into this country first,
over twenty years ago.

  He rises and goes into room.

JAMES Well, he’s a great man, Conn Hourican. (James rises and goes to fire.  Conn comes out of room, carrying a greatcoat) How do you think you’ll do at Ardagh?

CONN
I think I’ll do very well at Ardagh, James.

  He leaves coat on settle.

JAMES
Everything’s ready for the start.

CONN
Ay, and it’s near time for going.  I’m playing very well lately,
James.  It’s the thought of being before people who’ll know music.  If
I was staying in this place any longer, James, I’d put my fiddle in
the thatch, and leave it there for the birds to pick holes in.

JAMES
But won’t you be back here after the Feis at Ardagh?

CONN
Well, I will, for a while anyway.

JAMES And would you be going off again after a while?

CONN I’m thinking that when my daughters are settled I’ll have the years before me.  I was reared in a place south of this, and I’d like to go back there for a while.

JAMES
But wouldn’t you come back to us?

CONN There’s many’s the place in Ireland that I never saw, town and countryside. (He takes the greatcoat off settle and puts it on him) Tell me, James Moynihan, is your father satisfied with the settlement that Maire’s making for yourself and Anne?

JAMES
My father is very well satisfied.

CONN
(going towards his room) And so he ought to be, James Moynihan.

  Goes into his room.

JAMES
My father had always a great liking for Anne. (Anne comes out
of the other room.  James Moynihan goes to her) May you never think,
Anne, that you made the bad choice when you took James Moynihan.

  They sit on settle.

ANNE
Sure I was never fond of any one but yourself.

JAMES
And I never cared for any one after I saw you.