Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry. Padraic Colum

with the gift, and isn't the gift then the sign of the grace of God? Foolish people, indeed! Them that know the gift have some of the grace of God, no matter how poor they may be.

      MAIRE

       You're always thinking of them. You never think of your own.

       Many's the time your own cried tears over your playing.

      CONN (passionately, starting up) I'll go out of the house.

      MAIRE

       Let you stay here.

      CONN (going towards entrance) I'll go out of the house, I tell you.

      MAIRE

       No.

       Conn goes over to the fire.

      CONN God help me that ever came into this country at all. (He sits down on the armchair, his hands resting on his stick) I had friends once, and was well thought of; I can tell you that, my daughter. MAIRE I know that. CONN Well, you can have your own way with me now.

      MAIRE Why can't you stay here? There's lots to be done here. Our fields are a laughing-stock to the neighbours, they're that poor and wasted. Let us put all our minds into working, and have a good place of our own.

      CONN Ay, and the grabbers and informers of this place would think well of you then.

      MAIRE

       Who do you call grabbers and informers?

      CONN

       The people of this place. The people you want to shine before.

      MAIRE

       I don't want to shine before the people.

      CONN

       I'm not saying against you, Maire.

      MAIRE

       You're wrong in thinking I want to shine at all.

      CONN Sure you go to every dance and ceilidh; and to every house where you can show off your face, and dancing, and conversation.

      MAIRE

       Do I? Maybe I do. Every girl does the like.

      CONN

       I'm not saying against it.

       Pause.

      MAIRE

       You think I'm like yourself, wanting the praise of the people.

      CONN

       And what's the harm if you do?

      MAIRE

       No harm at all. But I don't go to houses to show myself off.