DAN [_wringing his hands_]. Oh, I wisht the ground would open its mouth and swalley me! DEEGAN. Small farmers have large voices. Whom are you threatening now, Denis? DENIS. I’m come to see about this match between your fool son and my daughter. It was noan of my seekin’ nor my makin’. But the job’s done now, and I’ll make him toe the line, or I’ll know for why. He’ll not make a laughin’-stock of my daughter. [_Stamps his foot._] I’m damned if he will! DEEGAN. Have you anything in writing, Denis? DENIS. No, but I’ve good eye-witness. Paul Twyning seen and heard the engagement.... _PAUL comes in back._ PAUL. Who’s taking Paul’s name in vain? Paul Twyning is a stranger in your midst and doesn’t want his name mixed up in this rural squabble at all. DAN. That’s right, Paul. Deny everything. DENIS [_hotly to PAUL_]. Ye were an eye-witness! Ye were an eye-witness! [_Menaces PAUL._] If ye deny it, I’ll smash ye! PAUL [_flies off the handle_]. Hell recaive the mongrel in the nine counties of Ulster can put them up to Paul Twyning! [_Squares out._] Come on now--the whole three of you! [_Knocks the hat off DENIS._] Come on, I say! For three month in this barren country has left me blue-moulding for a fight.... DEEGAN. Order! I’ll not have my house turned into a Dublin doss-house. DAN. That’s right, fader. You know the law. DEEGAN [_slaps DAN_]. How dare you speak a word, sir! I’ll take the belt to you later. DAN. God help me, amen. I’m always blamed. DEEGAN. Denis M’Gothigan, promise or no promise, you have no case. My prodigal son has nothing here but the name. DENIS. Ho, heth, we’ll see about that! The prodigal can claim for sarvent’s wages.... Oh, by the holy, you’ll not twist Denis.... I’ve a witness and a ring and a conversation-lozenger.... DAN. It’s a lie! ROSE. Oh, Dan, Dan! DENIS. Hand me that lozenger, gerril. [_ROSE gives him a big broad sweet._] Wait till the jury hears this. [_Reads._] “I love you very dearly, And if you love me, In spite of wind and weather We shall married be.” DAN. It’s a lie. I never had that lozenger in my possession. It was a wee peppermint I give her.... ROSE. Oh, Dan, Dan! DAN. Oh, it’s easy for you to “Dan, Dan.” But it’s me’s fighting for my life. ROSE. And there’s the ring. [_Holds up her hand._] DAN. That’s not my ring at all. It’s Paul Twyning’s ring. He picked it up--or stole it from the pilgrims--at Lisdoonvarna. PAUL. Dan Deegan, mind what you’re saying, or I’ll clout you one on the ear. DAN. I mind rightly what I’m saying. I’m in flames, but I mean to clear myself! DEEGAN. Denis M’Gothigan, the courts are open to you. But I think it my duty to inform you that the defendant is about to emigrate.... DAN [_bursts out crying_]. A bad end to you, Paul Twyning!... This is what comes of bad company.... I was a happy boy till I met you.... [_Sobs bitterly._]