Christy (bitterly). It’s more than Judges this place is a heartless crew. (Looking up at her.) And isn’t it a poor thing to be starting again and I a lonesome fellow will be looking out on women and girls the way the needy fallen spirits do be looking on the Lord?

Pegeen What call have you to be that lonesome when there’s poor girls walking Mayo in their thousands now?

Christy (grimly). It’s well you know what call I have. It’s well you know it’s a lonesome thing to be passing small towns with the lights shining sideways when the night is down, or going in strange places with a dog nosing before you and a dog nosing behind, or drawn to the cities where you’d hear a voice kissing and talking deep love in every shadow of the ditch, and you passing on with an empty, hungry stomach failing from your heart.

Pegeen I’m thinking you’re an odd man, Christy Mahon. The oddest walking fellow I ever set my eyes on to this hour to-day.

Christy What would any be but odd men and they living lonesome in the world?

Pegeen I’m not odd, and I’m my whole life with my father only.

Christy (with infinite admiration). How would a lovely handsome woman the like of you be lonesome when all men should be thronging around to hear the sweetness of your voice, and the little infant children should be pestering your steps I’m thinking, and you walking the roads.

Pegeen I’m hard set to know what way a coaxing fellow the like of yourself should be lonesome either.

Christy Coaxing?

Pegeen Would you have me think a man never talked with the girls would have the words you’ve spoken to-day? It’s only letting on you are to be lonesome, the way you’d get around me now.

Christy I wish to God I was letting on; but I was lonesome all times, and born lonesome, I’m thinking, as the moon of dawn.

Going to door.

Pegeen (puzzled by his talk). Well, it’s a story I’m not understanding at all why you’d be worse than another, Christy Mahon, and you a fine lad with the great savagery to destroy your da.

Christy It’s little I’m understanding myself, saving only that my heart’s scalded this day, and I going off stretching out the earth between us, the way I’ll not be waking near you another dawn of the year till the two of us do arise to hope or judgment with the saints of God, and now I’d best be going with my wattle in my hand, for hanging is a poor thing (turning to go), and it’s little welcome only is left me in this house to-day.

Pegeen (sharply). Christy. (He turns round.) Come here to me. (He goes towards her.) Lay down that switch and throw some sods on the fire. You’re pot-boy in this place, and I’ll not have you mitch off from us now.

Christy You were saying I’d be hanged if I stay.

Pegeen (quite kindly at last). I’m after going down and reading the fearful crimes of Ireland for two weeks or three, and there wasn’t a word of your murder. (Getting up and going over to the counter.) They’ve likely not found the body. You’re safe so with ourselves.