CONN Ay, but the road for the fiddler. I'm five years settled here, and I come to be as well known as the begging ass, and there is as much thought about me. Fiddling, let me tell you, isn't like a boy's whistling. It can't be kept up on nothing. BRIAN I understand that, Conn. CONN I'm getting that I can't stand the talk you hear in houses, wars and Parliaments, and the devil knows what _ramais_. BRIAN There's still a welcome for the man of art, somewhere. CONN That somewhere's getting further and further away, Brian. BRIAN You were not in the town last night? CONN I was not, Brian. God help me, I spent the night my lone. BRIAN There's Sligomen in the town. CONN Is there, now? It would be like our times to play for them. _(Anne comes in with some peat)_ Anne, would you bring me down my spectacles? They're in the room, daughter. _(Anne goes to room. Conn turns to Brian eagerly) I_ suppose the Sligomen will be in Flynn's. BRIAN They were there last night. CONN Listen, Brian, I've a reason for not going to Flynn's. Would you believe it, Brian, Flynn spoke to me about the few shillings I owe him? BRIAN That was shabby of him. He got a lot out of you in the way of playing. CONN It's just like them. Besides, Maire keeps us tight enough, and I often have to take treats from the men. They're drovers and rambling labourers and the like, though, as you say, they've the song and music, and the proper talk. Listen, Brian, could you leave a few shillings on the dresser for me? BRIAN To be sure I will, Conn. _Brian goes to the dresser, and puts money on a shelf_. CONN _(with dignity)_ Thank you, Brian. There's few I'd let put me under a compliment; but I take it from you. Maire, as I said, is a careful girl, but some of us must have our freedom. Besides, Brian, the bird that sings lone sings slow. The man of art must have his listeners. _(Conn takes the money off dresser)_ Anne, daughter, what's keeping you there? Sure the spectacles were in my pocket the whole time, child. _(Anne comes dawn)_ When I spoke against the people about here, I was leaving you out of it, Brian. BRIAN I'm fond of tune, though it wasn't here I got fond of it. _Brian goes to the door_. ANNE _(going to Brian)_ You won't be rambling again, Brian? BRIAN I'm settled here, Anne; I made it up with my brothers. ANNE They used to say that a MacConnell quarrel was a lasting quarrel. BRIAN Maybe we're working the bad blood out of us. ANNE Don't be staying out long, Brian. BRIAN Till Maire gives me the call. _Brian MacConnell goes out_. ANNE We oughtn't to take another clay from Brian MacConnell. There's only the patch at the back to be mown, and you could do that yourself. CONN You can depend on me for the mowing. I'm going up now, to go over an oul' tune I have. ANNE James Moynihan would come over and stack for us. CONN James Moynihan is a decent boy, too. ANNE You won't be going out to-night, father? CONN Now, how's a man to know what he'll be doing?