Jimmy (jumps up). Now, by the grace of God, herself will be safe this night, with a man killed his father holding danger from the door, and let you come on, Michael James, or they’ll have the best stuff drunk at the wake.

Michael (going to the door with men). And begging your pardon, mister, what name will we call you, for we’d like to know?

Christy Christopher Mahon.

Michael Well, God bless you, Christy, and a good rest till we meet again when the sun’ll be rising to the noon of day.

Christy God bless you all.

Men God bless you.

They go out except Shawn, who lingers at door.

Shawn (to Pegeen). Are you wanting me to stop along with you and keep you from harm?

Pegeen (gruffly). Didn’t you say you were fearing Father Reilly?

Shawn There’d be no harm staying now, I’m thinking, and himself in it too.

Pegeen You wouldn’t stay when there was need for you, and let you step off nimble this time when there’s none.

Shawn Didn’t I say it was Father Reilly …

Pegeen Go on, then, to Father Reilly (in a jeering tone), and let him put you in the holy brotherhoods, and leave that lad to me.

Shawn If I meet the Widow Quin …

Pegeen Go on, I’m saying, and don’t be waking this place with your noise. (She hustles him out and bolts the door.) That lad would wear the spirits from the saints of peace. (Bustles about, then takes off her apron and pins it up in the window as a blind. Christy watching her timidly. Then she comes to him and speaks with bland good-humour.) Let you stretch out now by the fire, young fellow. You should be destroyed travelling.

Christy (shyly again, drawing off his boots). I’m tired, surely, walking wild eleven days, and waking fearful in the night.

He holds up one of his feet, feeling his blisters, and looking at them with compassion.

Pegeen (standing beside him, watching him with delight). You should have had great people in your family, I’m thinking, with the little, small feet you have, and you with a kind of a quality name, the like of what you’d find on the great powers and potentates of France and Spain.

Christy (with pride). We were great surely, with wide and windy acres of rich Munster land.

Pegeen Wasn’t I telling you, and you a fine, handsome young fellow with a noble brow?

Christy (with a flash of delighted surprise). Is it me?

Pegeen Aye. Did you never hear that from the young girls where you come from in the west or south?