PAUL. Well, begorry, I’ve tramped Ireland, England, and parts of Scotland, but there is the worst specimen of the landed aristocracy I’ve met.... That’s the sort of democrats the Land League left behind it. [_Shouts._] Hi, Dan! You may emerge from your rat-hole. Ould Clanricarde has gone out. _DAN DEEGAN comes in back. He is a wild-visaged man of medium height, with hair turning from grey to whiteness. He is clothed a few degrees worse than a hired servant, and moves with quick, furtive gestures._ DAN. What did my fader say, Paul? In God’s name, amen. PAUL. Well, he seems to think, Dan, you’ve been sporting your figure at M’Gothigan’s dance.... DAN. Flames, has he heard I was there? What did he say? Did he mention Rose? Quick, man, for your sowl, and tell a buddy. PAUL. Oh, he knows all about your love affair, Dan. But I must say he took a very wide view of it. He says what is very true--that you have to marry some time and why not now? DAN. My sowl, that is a wide view! PAUL. He also says that you were always a headstrong lad, and he supposes if you’ve made Rose M’Gothigan a promise that you’ll stick to it.... DAN [_excited_]. Did he say that, Paul? Did he call me a stubbornt fella? PAUL. Stiff-necked and stubborn were the words he used. DAN. I’m in flames, but he’s right! I was always as stiff as a mule if I took a thing in my head.... But I didn’t speak the word to Rose, Paul.... PAUL. Eh! Is that the next of it? Let you answer me a few simple questions. Didn’t you sit beside her last night till the cocks were crowing this morning? DAN. I did, heth. PAUL. And didn’t you hold her hand for hours at a stretch? DAN. I’ll never deny it. PAUL. And didn’t you slip her a conversation-lozenger with the inscription upon it: “I love you very dearly, And if you love me, In spite of wind and weather We shall married be.” DAN. I did, heth. And she read it and laft her fill. PAUL. And then you have the nerve to stand there and tell me you’re not engaged! DAN [_confused_]. Does Rose think I axed her? PAUL. Aye, and what is more important, her father and mother both maintain that you axed her.... DAN. Oh, flames! has it went that far? PAUL. But they all know the sort of James Deegan, J.P. They know you can’t bring a wife in here without his consent.... DAN. Is that gospel true, Paul? Would Rose and her fader and mother agree to wait? PAUL. Rose is only in the bud, and can afford to wait as long as you like. DAN. Then, I’m in flames, but that settles it! I’ll see Rose this night, afore I lay my side to a bed, and settle the match.... That’s the sort of me. If ever I made up my mind to do a thing, I always tore through it like a mad bull with the cholic. PAUL. Now that’s bould, headstrong talk. Now I like the way you lowered your brows when you said that. I never saw such determination in my life....