PAUL. There you are now, Dan. Yourself and Rose are half engaged already. So I’ll give you a few minutes to settle it in the usual way, and then I’ll come back. _He goes to the room door, but is seen to listen._ DAN [_after an awkward pause_]. This was a fine growing day, Rose. ROSE. It was a bit hot about twelve. DAN. Aye, it was like rain in the forenoon.... I was in the moss all day. ROSE. I was working in the hay. DAN. How’s it cutting, Rose? ROSE. Oh, fairly well, I think. DAN. Boys, we’d a big night last night, Rose. You were the belle of the ball. ROSE. Och, you’re only saying that, Dan. DAN. I’m saying nothing of the kind, Rose. It’s the holy truth. You were the belle. ROSE. The people was all remarking you and me talking, Dan. DAN. Let them remark their fill. They’ll maybe remark more than that afore long. [_After a painful effort_] Rose dear, after long and sarious confederation, I’ve decided to make you Mrs. Dan Deegan. Now or never, Rose, will you marry me? ROSE. Oh, Dan, we needn’t talk. DAN. Why, Rose? ROSE. Because I haven’t a penny, and you’ll be wanting a girl with a big fortune for this grand house.... DAN. Me want a fortune! Not the cross of coin, Rose. You’re a fortune yourself. You can feed pigs and milk cows and keep a house. That’s enough for me. ROSE. But it’s not enough for your father, Dan. He’ll want a fortune. DAN. Well, my fader’s over seventy. Can’t we wait till he goes? All here is mine after his day. Pat has the pub. in the town. ROSE. Well, Dan, I’ll wait. DAN. Och! I know’d you’d cave in at last! Love always finds a way. And the ring’s here and all. [_Puts it on her finger._] You’re Rose Deegan now, come weal or woe. It’s a long time since I concaited you. _PAUL comes in._ PAUL. Another match made in heaven! My blessing, childer. [_Shakes hands._] And now for a speedy marriage. DAN. Oh, we’ve agreed to wait my fader’s day, Paul. PAUL. I heard the arrangement, Dan. But that’s only because you can’t see your way sooner. With your father’s consent and blessing you’d lose little time, I’ll go bail. DAN. Not a day, Paul. PAUL. Very well, then, just leave me to settle with the ould man. I think I can manipulate him.... If I succeed I’ll expect a small money present. Say five pounds--to carry me down to Carlow. DAN. And you’ll get it. There’s my hand. [_They shake._] ROSE [_making to rise_]. I’ll be going now, Dan. Your father might come in.... DAN. Och, sit still, Rose. My fader won’t be in this hour. He’s away to look at the young heifers.... ROSE. I saw him going into Mullan’s. PAUL. It’s maybe an _ould_ heifer he’ll look at before he comes back. DAN [_alarmed_]. What d’ye mean, Paul? In God’s name, amen. PAUL. Isn’t there an ould doll in the name of Mullan, home from America with a boatload of money? DAN. I’m in flames but you’re right. Ould Daisy Mullan.