_Nestor:_ Is it drink, or is it tea, or is it some change that is come upon the world that is fitting the people of this place for the asylum in Ballinasloe? _Sibby:_ I know of a good clocking hen. I will put the eggs under her.... I will rear them when they’ll be hatched out. _Nestor:_ I suppose now, Mrs. Broderick, you went belling the case through the town? _Mrs. Broderick:_ I did not, but to the Magistrates upon the bench that I told it out of respect to, and I never mentioned your name in it at all. _Sibby:_ Tell me now, Mrs. Broderick, who have I to apply to? _Mrs. Broderick:_ What is it you are wanting to apply about? _Sibby:_ Will you tell me where is the man that is after buying your jackdaw? _Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Looking at Nestor._) What’s that? Where is he, is it? _Nestor:_ (_Making signs of silence._) How would you know where he is? It is not in a broken little town of this sort such a man would be stopping, and he having his business finished. _Sibby:_ Sure he will have to be coming back here for the bird. I will stop till I’ll see him drawing near. _Nestor:_ It is more likely he will get it consigned to the shipping agent. Mind what I say now, it is best not be speaking of him at all. (_Timothy Ward comes in triumphantly, croaking his toy. He has a bird in his hand._) _Ward:_ I chanced on a starling. It was not with this I tempted him, but a little chap that had him in a crib. Would you say now, Mr. Nestor, would that do as well as a jackdaw? Look now, it’s as handsome every bit as the other. And anyway it is likely they will both die before they will reach to their journey’s end. _Nestor:_ (_Lifting up his hands._) Of all the foolishness that ever came upon the world! _Ward:_ Hurry on now, Mrs. Broderick, tell me where will I bring it to the buyer you were speaking of. He is fluttering that hard it is much if I can keep him in my hand. Is it at Noonan’s Royal Hotel he is or is it at Mack’s? _Nestor:_ (_Shaking his head threateningly._) How can you tell that and you not knowing it yourself? _Ward:_ Sure you have a right to know what way did he go, and he after going out of this. _Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Her eyes apprehensively on Nestor._) Ah, sure, my mind was tattered on me. I couldn’t know did he go east or west. Standing here in this place I was, like a ghost that got a knock upon its head. _Ward:_ If he is coming back for the bird it is here he will be coming, and if it is to be sent after him it is likely you will have his address. _Mrs. Broderick:_ So I should, too, I suppose. Where now did I put it? (_She looks to Nestor for orders, but cannot understand his signs, and turns out pocket._) That’s my specs ... that’s the key of the box ... that’s a bit of root liquorice.... Where now at all could I have left down that address?