PROF. [_musing_]. Gum, I’ve touched low water mark at last. Taken by the scruff of the neck like a rat to be thrown out. [_Sobs and watches the effect on PEGGY._] It’s hard, hard to be old and done and frail and homeless and penniless and friendless. [_Drying his eyes._] That’s what your friends would do for you.... But no matter.... Eaten bread’s forgotten.... PEGGY. Never mind, uncle. PROF. Eh! Your voice is kind. Calling me uncle, are you? PEGGY. Yes, why not? PROF. Plenty of whynots. I’m a returned empty, that’s the main whynot. PEGGY [_impulsively_]. Empty or full, rich or poor, you’re my uncle Tim! [_Shaking hands._] I’m glad to see you, uncle. Welcome home. PROF. Thanks, pigeon. You’ve a heart. From this minute till I die I’ll have something kind to remember. Any more sisters, Peggy? PEGGY. Three sisters and three brothers. PROF. And where are they? PEGGY. They’re over at the other farm hay-making. PROF. Have you two farms now? PEGGY. Yes, we bought a second farm last year. PROF. Gum, your father deserves credit. He got a tartar of a wife. A perfect shrew. PEGGY. Mother isn’t so bad. She just likes to boss.... PROF. That’s obvious. An impossible woman. A victim of temper, vocabulary, and spleen. Do you remember me being here before, Peggy? PEGGY. Quite well, uncle. You bought me a string of blue beads. PROF. I’m glad if I did. I don’t remember a thing about it. Bad memory, Peggy. [_Looks at his empty hands._] Gum, I thought I’d a valise in my hand. Have I no personal baggage at all? PEGGY. None with you. PROF. I must have dropt it in Paris or London.... I’m coming from Nigeria, Peggy. Been coming from Nigeria by easy stages for months and months. [_Looks at his clothes._] I wonder to Gawd where I got this toggery? Looks like seafaring clothes.... Probably got them by mistake in London. PEGGY. When did you arrive in Ireland, uncle? PROF. I haven’t the remotest idea. The last thing I remember is being down at the docks in London. What day is this, Peggy? PEGGY. Monday. PROF. What date is it? PEGGY. The 6th July. PROF. July? Gum, I thought it was May.... There’s a big mistake somewhere. The whole month of June’s blotted out. PEGGY. You’ve been drinking, uncle. PROF. Not a great deal, Peggy. Just enjoying myself.... Listen, Peggy. Your mother’s likely to put me out. You’re the only friend I’ve got in the world. Could you give me a little cash? Five pounds? I’m dead broke. PEGGY. I could give you three pounds, uncle. It’s all the money I have. PROF. Well, for Gawd’s sake, hurry up and get it. PEGGY. One minute. [_She goes into the room._] PROF. [_more alert, looking round_]. This is a comfortable spot. A wandering man could find rest here. [_Recites_]