O’C. Thank you for saying it to my face. You’ve been saying it a long time behind my back. MRS. S. Everything I said was true. O’C. [_shrugs_]. I never contradicted anything. MRS. S. Because you couldn’t. The proof is written all over Rush Hill.... The tree is known by its fruit. O’C. In Ireland a man is better known by the number of people who stay away from his auction. MRS. S. [_looks around_]. Lord above! The condition of this room tells a long story. Confusion and calamity. O’C. It was very amusing here a few minutes ago. The eminent Professor was prospecting for water. MRS. S. You’re a likely one to be throwing stones. O’C. I’m not throwing any stones. I think Professor Tim a very interesting man. MRS. S. You and the Professor have a great deal in common, no doubt. O’C. Much more than you could imagine. There are only two sorts of people in the world. Interesting people and bores. I can never have too much of the one, nor too little of the other. [_Yawns in his sleeve._] MRS. S. I ask you again, where is Peggy? O’C. She isn’t here, madam. She and the Professor returned to your hospitable roof a little while ago. MRS. S. Did they go the back way? O’C. Evidently, since you didn’t meet them on the front way. MRS. S. And what’s the valise doing in the hall? O’C. It’s waiting for Paddy Kinney to carry it across. You can have it if you wish. MRS. S. That’s all I wanted to know! I’ll stay here for the auction. O’C. You’re very welcome. Won’t you sit down? MRS. S. No, I’ll just look about me.... _ALLISON puts his head in._ ALLISON. Mr. O’Cahan, could I have something to stand up on? I’m going to auction in the hall. It’s going to be a downpour.... O’C. Why not come in here? I haven’t the smallest objection. MRS. S. Come in, Mr. Allison. Come in, Mr. Kilroy. _ALLISON, KILROY, JOSEPH, JOHN and PADDY come in._ ALLISON [_mounting a chair_]. I suppose we may as well commence.... MRS. S. God bless me, is this all the people? ALLISON. I’m sorry to say it is, madam. The sale has been boycotted. MRS. S. Oh, well. It’ll just go all the cheaper. ALLISON [_takes out hammer_]. Gentlemen, you’ve heard the terms of sale. I’ve also told you that the Bank has fixed a reserve price below which Rush Hill can’t be sold to-day.... Now, I’ll take offers.... MRS. S. Come, John. Bid up. JOHN [_dourly_]. Let somebody else start it. I hate these auction-outs. _MOLL appears in the doorway._ MOLL. Here’s the great Professor Tim ... looking for his sister Briget Scally.... KILROY. Good, good! Bring in the Professor! This is very lucky.... MRS. S. [_reeling towards door_]. No, no no! Don’t let him in.... _She tries to push out past MOLL, who shoves her back into the room._