MAIRE
It's likely there was some to tell her that she was showing off.
CONN
No one was to her liking unless they praised her.
ANNE
Ah well, a fiddler ought to forgive that to a woman. MAIRE
Fiddlers and women are all alike, but don't say that to him.
_Anne goes to Maire and sits beside her_.
CONN
_(speaking to both)_ Well, Honor Gilroy wasn't the worst, maybe.
MAIRE
And fiddlers and women oughtn't be hard on each other.
CONN
Do you say that, Maire?
MAIRE
_(rising and going to him)_ I say it, father.
CONN
God forgive me if I vexed you, Maire.
ANNE
It's clearing up now, father, and you ought to go out to James.
_(Conn turns to the door. He remains in the doorway. Anne rises and
goes to Maire)_ What did you say to him?
MAIRE
_(looking at Conn)_ He doesn't feel it at all. Father will
always be the fiddler, no matter what we say.
ANNE
Maire. Come and talk to me. _(They sit at fire)_ I was talking
to James. He'll never be happy until we're under the one roof.
_Maire clasps Anne's hands passionately_.
MAIRE
_(with cry)_ Anne, daughter, I'll be very lonesome for you.
ANNE
But sure I won't be far off, Maire.
MAIRE
Ay, but it's terrible to face things alone.
_James has come to the door. Conn and James have been talking. They
turn in_.
CONN
But I'll be glad enough to have the scythe in my hands after it
all, James.
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