CHRIS--Ay don't lose--[Trying to be scornful and self-convincing.] Anna say she like you little bit but you don't hear her say she marry you, Ay bet. [At the sound of her name ANNA has turned round to them. Her face is composed and calm again, but it is the dead calm of despair.] BURKE--[Scornfully.] No, and I wasn't hearing her say the sun is shining either. CHRIS--[Doggedly.] Dat's all right. She don't say it, yust same. ANNA--[Quietly--coming forward to them.] No, I didn't say it, Mat. CHRIS--[Eagerly.] Dere! You hear! BURKE--[Misunderstanding her--with a grin.] You're waiting till you do be asked, you mane? Well, I'm asking you now. And we'll be married this day, with the help of God! ANNA--[Gently.] You heard what I said, Mat--after I kissed you? BURKE--[Alarmed by something in her manner.] No--I disremember. ANNA--I said good-bye. [Her voice trembling.] That kiss was for good-bye, Mat. BURKE--[Terrified.] What d'you mane? ANNA--I can't marry you, Mat--and we've said good-bye. That's all. CHRIS--[Unable to hold back his exultation.] Ay know it! Ay know dat vas so! BURKE--[Jumping to his feet--unable to believe his ears.] Anna! Is it making game of me you'd be? 'Tis a quare time to joke with me, and don't be doing it, for the love of God. ANNA--[Looking him in the eyes--steadily.] D'you think I'd kid you now? No, I'm not joking, Mat. I mean what I said. BURKE--Ye don't! Ye can't! 'Tis mad you are. I'm telling you! ANNA--[Fixedly.] No I'm not. BURKE--[Desperately.] But what's come over you so sudden? You was saying you loved me-- ANNA--I'll say that as often as you want me to. It's true. BURKE--[Bewilderedly.] Then why--what, in the divil's name--Oh, God help me, I can't make head or tail to it at all! ANNA--Because it's the best way out I can figure, Mat. [Her voice catching.] I been thinking it over and thinking it over day and night all week. Don't think it ain't hard on me, too, Mat. BURKE--For the love of God, tell me then, what is it that's preventing you wedding me when the two of us has love? [Suddenly getting an idea and pointing at CHRIS--exasperatedly.] Is it giving heed to the like of that old fool ye are, and him hating me and filling your ears full of bloody lies against me? CHRIS--[Getting to his feet--raging triumphantly before ANNA has a chance to get in a word.] Yes, Anna believe me, not you! She know her old fa'der don't lie like you. ANNA--[Turning on her father angrily.] You sit down, d'you hear? Where do you come in butting in and making things worse? You're like a devil, you are! [Harshly.] Good Lord, and I was beginning to like you, beginning to forget all I've got held up against you! CHRIS--[Crushed--feebly.] You ain't got nutting for hold against me, Anna. ANNA--Ain't I yust! Well, lemme tell you--[She glances at BURKE and stops abruptly.] Say, Mat, I'm s'prised at you. You didn't think anything he'd said-- BURKE--[Glumly.] Sure, what else would it be?