_Mr. Quirke:_ I’ll speak up to them. I’ll make my defence. What can the Army expect at fippence a pound? _Mrs. Delane:_ It is likely there will be no bail allowed? _Mr. Quirke:_ Would they be wanting me to give them good quality meat out of my own pocket? Is it to encourage them to fight the poor Indians and Africans they would have me? It’s the Anti-Enlisting Societies should pay the fine for me. _Mrs. Delane:_ It’s not a fine will be put on you, I’m afraid. It’s five years in gaol you will be apt to be getting. Well, I’ll try and be a good neighbour to poor Mrs. Quirke. (_Mr. Quirke, who has been stamping up and down, sits down and weeps. Halvey comes in and stands on one side._) _Mr. Quirke:_ Hadn’t I heart-scalding enough before, striving to rear five weak children? _Mrs. Delane:_ I suppose they will be sent to the Industrial Schools? _Mr. Quirke:_ My poor wife—— _Mrs. Delane:_ I’m afraid the workhouse—— _Mr. Quirke:_ And she out in an ass-car at this minute helping me to follow my trade. _Mrs. Delane:_ I hope they will not arrest her along with you. _Mr. Quirke:_ I’ll give myself up to justice. I’ll plead guilty! I’ll be recommended to mercy! _Mrs. Delane:_ It might be best for you. _Mr. Quirke:_ Who would think so great a misfortune could come upon a family through the bringing away of one sheep! _Hyacinth:_ (_Coming forward._) Let you make yourself easy. _Mr. Quirke:_ Easy! It’s easy to say let you make yourself easy. _Hyacinth:_ I can tell you where it is. _Mr. Quirke:_ Where what is? _Hyacinth:_ The sheep you are fretting after. _Mr. Quirke:_ What do you know about it? _Hyacinth:_ I know everything about it. _Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose the Sergeant told you? _Hyacinth:_ He told me nothing. _Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose the whole town knows it, so? _Hyacinth:_ No one knows it, as yet. _Mr. Quirke:_ And the Sergeant didn’t see it? _Hyacinth:_ No one saw it or brought it away but myself. _Mr. Quirke:_ Where did you put it at all? _Hyacinth:_ In the ditch behind the church wall. In among the nettles it is. Look at the way they have me stung. (_Holds out hands._) _Mr. Quirke:_ In the ditch! The best hiding place in the town. _Hyacinth:_ I never thought it would bring such great trouble upon you. You can’t say anyway I did not tell you. _Mr. Quirke:_ You yourself that brought it away and that hid it! I suppose it was coming in the train you got information about the message to the police. _Hyacinth:_ What now do you say to me? _Mr. Quirke:_ Say! I say I am as glad to hear what you said as if it was the Lord telling me I’d be in heaven this minute. _Hyacinth:_ What are you going to do to me? _Mr. Quirke:_ Do, is it? (_Grasps his hand._) Any earthly thing you would wish me to do, I will do it. _Hyacinth:_ I suppose you will tell—— _Mr. Quirke:_ Tell! It’s I that will tell when all is quiet. It is I will give you the good name through the town! _Hyacinth:_ I don’t well understand.