But we did our best, and we were proud to
see you.
MAIRE
Sit down, James.
_James sits on chair, near table. Maire is seated at fire, left of
James. Anne leans against table, right of him_.
JAMES
Your father is outside, maybe?
MAIRE
No. He's above in the room.
JAMES
Yes. Practising, I suppose. Them that have the gift have to
mind the gift. In this country there isn't much thought for poetry,
or music, or scholarship. Still, a few of us know that a while must
be spared from the world if we are to lay up riches in the mind.
ANNE
I hope there's nothing wrong at home?
JAMES
_(turning to Anne)_ To tell you the truth, Anne, and to keep
nothing back, there is.
MAIRE
And what is it, James?
JAMES
_(turning to Maire)_ Anne was talking to my father last night.
ANNE
Indeed I was, and I thought him very friendly to me.
JAMES
Ay, he liked you well enough, I can tell you that, Anne. This
morning when he took a stick in his hand, I knew he was making ready
for a journey, for the horse is laid up. "Walk down a bit with me,"
said he, "and we'll go over a few things that are in my mind." Well,
I walked down with him, and indeed we had a serious conversation.
ANNE
Well?
JAMES
"Anne Hourican is too young," said my father; "she's a nice
girl, and a good girl, but she's too young."
MAIRE
Sure in a while Anne will be twenty.
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