MARTIN DOURAS
Sit down near me, and let me hear everything, Sally. 
Was it Matt that told you, or were you talking to Ellen herself?

SALLY O, indeed, I had a talk with Ellen, but she won’t give much of her mind away.  It was Matt that was telling me.  “Indeed she’s not going,” said he, “and a smart young fellow like myself thinking of her.  Ellen is too full of notions.”  Here’s Matt himself.  Father won’t have a word to say to him.  He’s getting mild as he’s getting ould, and maybe it’s a fortune he’ll be leaving to myself.

  Matt comes to the door.  He enters.

MATT
Where is he?  He’s not gone to the fair so early?

SALLY
He’s in the room.

MATT
Were you talking to him at all?  Were you telling him you saw
myself?

SALLY
I was telling him that you were coming back.

MATT
How did he take it?

SALLY
Very quiet.  God help us all; I think father’s losing his spirit.

MATT
(going to Martin) Well, you see I’ve come back, Martin.

MARTIN DOURAS
Ay, you’re a good lad.  I always said you were a good
lad.

MATT
How did father take it, Martin?

MARTIN DOURAS
Quietly, quietly.  You saw Ellen?

MATT Ay, I saw Ellen (gloomily).  She shouldn’t talk the way she talks, Martin.  What she said keeps coming into my mind, and I’m troubled.  God knows I’ve trouble enough on my head.

MARTIN DOURAS
(eagerly) What did she say, Matt Cosgar?

MATT
It wasn’t what she said.  She has that school in her mind, I know.

MARTIN DOURAS
And is there anything to keep her here, Matt Cosgar?

MATT
I don’t know that she thinks much of me now.  We had a few words,
but there’s nothing in the world I put above Ellen Douras.

MARTIN DOURAS
I should be going to her.

MATT
Wait a bit, and I’ll be going with you.  Wait a bit.  Let us talk
it over.  She wouldn’t go from you, and you old.

MARTIN DOURAS
God forgive my age, if it would keep her here.  Would I
have my Ellen drawing turf, or minding a cow, or feeding pigs?

MATT I’m fond of her, Martin.  She couldn’t go, and I so fond of her.  What am I doing here?  I should be making it up with her.  What good will anything be if Ellen Douras goes? (He turns to the door, then stops) I came to settle with him.  I mustn’t be running about like a frightened child.

  The room door opens, and Murtagh Cosgar is seen.  Sally has hung a
  pot over the fire, and is cleaning the dishes at the dresser.

MURTAGH COSGAR (at the room door) Sally, it’s time to be putting on the meal.  If you have any cabbage left, put it through the meal. (To Matt) You put the thong in the harness?

MATT
I did (pause) Well, I’ve come back to you.