JOHN. I know, Peggy. It means civil war. But I’m prepared for war. Your mother treated me very shabby this day. Before them Kilroys too. That’s what stomachs me. It was “Silence, John!” every time I opened my mouth. Your uncle Tim said I was only a scarecrow on my own land, and he wasn’t far wrong. But, by God, the scarecrow’s tired of his job! _MRS. S. comes in baffled and angry._ MRS. S. Have you pair been here ever since? JOHN. We were waiting for you to bring out the invader, Briget. MRS. S. But you couldn’t come in and give me a hand! JOHN. I knew if you couldn’t shift him yourself, nothing could shift him. MRS. S. [_to PEGGY_]. Nor you didn’t think it worth while to come! PEGGY. I was afraid, mother. He was raveling in his sleep. You never knew what he’d do. MRS. S. Well, put on your apron and lay the table. We’ll have to entertain the Kilroys in the kitchen. PEGGY. All right, mother. [_Gets cloth._] MRS. S. [_to JOHN_]. Go you and leave your cowstick outside and put something clean on your neck. You’ll be sitting at the table with Mrs. Kilroy. JOHN. That’s a great honour.... Peggy, is there a rag of a collar about the house? PEGGY. Your collar and tie’s here. [_Gets them from drawer._] JOHN. Put them on me, like a good gerl. My hands is dirty. MRS. S. And so is your face! Go out and wash your face and hands at the pump. JOHN. I’ll attend to all that in a minute, Briget. _PEGGY puts collar and tie on JOHN. MRS. S. goes to room and returns with grand red chair._ MRS. S. If I’d a man like a man, and not a jinny, he’d soon clear the room! [_Goes out for another chair._] JOHN. She’s working herself up into a serious pucker, Peggy. PEGGY. Never mind, father. JOHN. I’m as much to blame as herself. I let her tramp over me at the start. Before you childer grew up I was servant gerl and all here. _MRS. S. comes in with another chair._ MRS. S. If my three sons were here they’d soon clear the room! [_Goes out for a plant._] JOHN. You’d think they weren’t my sons, too, to hear her.... If ever you marry, Peggy, never treat a man like that. PEGGY. Now, now, father. Don’t get vexed with her. After all, she’s a good mother. And she improved you.... JOHN. She improved me, but at a terrible price. _MRS. S. comes in with large plant._ MRS. S. If these strangers weren’t coming I’d give you pair a bit of my mind! [_Staring at them_] Are you going to stand there thumbing and fiddling till they walk in? JOHN. Hurry up, Peggy. PEGGY. There you are. I’m finished. JOHN. I’ll go now and have a nice wash at the pump. [_Goes out back._] MRS. S. Get the tablecloth. PEGGY [_gets cloth_]. Will you just give them tea in their hands? MRS. S. I’ll see when the times comes. Straighten the cloth. _PEGGY puts on cloth. MRS. S. sets plant in centre._ PEGGY [_going towards cupboard_]. I’ll get out the cups....