MAIRE I came to give it to her after I saw how hard I was on yourself. CONN Listen, my jewel, even if the Moynihans had nothing to do with the place, what would Conn Hourican the fiddler be doing in this country? MAIRE Ah, there are many you might play to; there are lots that know about music. There's Michael Gilpatrick and John Molloy-- CONN And that's all, Maire. MAIRE You might go to Flynn's an odd time. CONN And what do they know about music in Flynn's? Young Corney Myles was up there a while ago, and you'd think, from what the men said, that there was never the like of Corney for playing, and the boy isn't three years at the fiddle, MAIRE Father, stay here where the shelter is. CONN Sure, I'd be getting ould, and staying in the chimney-corner, with no one to talk to me, for you'd be going to a place of your own, and Anne? after a while, would have too much to mind. MAIRE The people here are kinder than you think. CONN But what has Conn Hourican to do with them anyhow? The very greatest were glad of my playing, and were proud to know me. MAIRE I know that, father. CONN Well, one is always meeting new life upon the roads, and I want to spend the years I have before me going from place to place. MAIRE _(going to him)_ If you took to the roads, I'd think I ought to go with you, for we were always together. CONN Ah, Maire, there are some that would keep you here. MAIRE Do you know who would keep me here? CONN Brian MacConnell is very fond of you. MAIRE Do you know that, father? CONN And I know that you are fond of Brian. _(There is no answer)_ That my jewel may have luck and prosperity. _(Goes towards room door, leaving Maire standing there)_ I'll be taking this fiddle, Maire. MAIRE Oh, are we going on the roads? CONN To Ardagh, Maire. MAIRE To Ardagh. CONN I'll go up now, and make ready. _He takes candle off table, and goes back towards room door._ MAIRE Oh, what do I know about Brian MacConnell, after all? CONN Brian is wild, but he is free-handed. MAIRE Wild and free-handed! Are all men like that? Wild and free-handed! But that's not the sort of man I want to look to now. CONN That's nothing to Brian's discredit. MAIRE Ah, what do I know about Brian MacConnell, except that he's a man of quarrels and broken words? _Conn holds up his hand warningly. Brian MacConnell comes to door_. CONN _(opening half-door)_ You're welcome, Brian. BRIAN Thank you for the good word, Conn. _He comes in_. MAIRE You're welcome, Brian MacConnell. CONN _(taking candle off dresser)_ I was going up to the room to make ready, but Maire will be glad to speak to you. I knew you wouldn't let us go without wishing us the luck of the road. _Goes up to room. Maire goes and sits on settle_. MAIRE Brian MacConnell has come to us again. BRIAN I'm before you again. Let me tell you what I was doing since I was here last. MAIRE What were you doing, Brian? Making quarrels, may be? BRIAN _(startled)_ Why do you say that?