The land and
house you offer would be a drag on me. _(She goes to the door)_
MATT
Ellen, what he offers is nothing, after all; but I care for you.
Sure you won't go from me like that?
ELLEN
Oh, can't you let me go?
I care for you as much as I care for any one. But it's my freedom I
want.
MATT
Then you're going surely?
ELLEN
I am. Good-bye.
_She goes out, Martin follows her. Matt stands dazed. Murtagh
closes the door, then goes and takes Matt's arm, and brings him down_.
MURTAGH COSGAR
Be a man. We offered her everything, and she went.
There's no knowing what the like of her wants. The men will be in
soon, and we'll drink to the new ownership.
MATT
Oh, what's the good in talking about that now? If Ellen was here,
we might be talking about it.
MURTAGH COSGAR
To-morrow you and me might go together. Ay, the bog
behind the meadow is well drained by this, and we might put the
plough over it. There will be a fine, deep soil in it, I'm thinking.
Don't look that way, Matt, my son.
MATT
When I meet Ellen Douras again, it's not a farmer's house I'll
be offering her, nor life in a country place.
MURTAGH COSGAR
No one could care for you as I care for you. I know
the blood between us, and I know the thoughts I had as I saw each of
you grow up.
_Matt moves to the door_.
MURTAGH COSGAR
Where are you going?
MATT
To see the boys that are going away.
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