MATT
Maybe I will.

MURTAGH COSGAR (bitterly) In the houses that are now, the young marry where they have a mind to.  It’s their own business, they say.

MATT
Maybe it is their own business.  I’m going to marry Ellen Douras,
if she’ll have me.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Ellen is a good girl, and clever, I’m told.  But I
would not have you deal before you go into the fair.

MATT
I’m going to marry Ellen Douras.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Her father is here, and we can settle it now.  What
fortune will you be giving Ellen, Martin?  That 100 pounds that was
saved while you were in Maryborough gaol?

  Martin shakes his head.

MATT (stubbornly) I’m going to marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR (passionately) Boy, your father built this house.  He got these lands together.  He has a right to see that you and your generations are in the way of keeping them together.

MATT
I’ll marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR
Marry her, then.  Marry Ellen Douras.

MATT
Now, Martin, we mustn’t let an hour pass without going to her.
(He takes Martin’s arm, and they go to the door)

MURTAGH COSGAR Marry Ellen Douras, I bid you.  Break what I have built, scatter what I have put together.  That is what all the young will be doing,

  Ellen Douras comes to the door as Matt and Martin reach it.

MATT
Ellen!

  She shrinks back.

ELLEN
It’s my father I came to speak to.

MURTAGH COSGAR
(going to the door, and drawing the bolt from the half-door)
When you come to my house, Ellen Douras, you are welcome within.

  Ellen comes in,

ELLEN
It’s right that I should speak to you all.  Matt Cosgar, I am
going from here.

MATT
Ellen, Ellen, don’t be saying that.  Don’t be thinking of the
few words between us.  It’s all over now.  Father agrees to us marrying. 
Speak, father, and let her hear yourself say it.

ELLEN
I can’t go into a farmer’s house.

MATT
You said that out of passion.  Don’t keep your mind on it any
longer.

ELLEN
It’s true, it’s true.  I can’t go into a farmer’s house.  This
place is strange to me.

MATT
How can you talk like that?  I’m always thinking of you.

ELLEN
I’ve stayed here long enough.  I want my own way; I want to
know the world.

MATT
If you go, how will I be living, day after day?  The heart will
be gone out of me.

MURTAGH COSGAR
You’ll be owning the land, Matt Cosgar.

MATT (passionately) I’ve worked on the land all my days.  Don’t talk to me about it now.

  Ellen goes to Martin.  Murtagh goes up to the door, and then turns
  and speaks.