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THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD

curse of the priests on you, and of the CHRISTY -- (going to the coun-
scarlet-coated bishops of the courts of ter.) -- I'd trouble you for a glass of
Rome. (With a sudden movement he porter, woman of the house. (He puts
pulls himself out of his coat, and dis- down coin.)
appears out of the door, leaving his PEGEEN -- (serving him.) --
coat in Michael's hands.) You're one of the tinkers, young fel-
MICHAEL -- (turning round, and low, is beyond camped in the glen?
holding up coat.) -- Well, there's the CHRISTY. I am not; but I'm de-
coat of a Christian man. Oh, there's stroyed walking.
sainted glory this day in the lonesome MICHAEL -- (patronizingly.) Let
west; and by the will of God I've got you come up then to the fire. You're
you a decent man, Pegeen, you'll have looking famished with the cold.
no call to be spying after if you've a CHRISTY. God reward you. (He
score of young girls, maybe, weeding takes up his glass and goes a little way
in your fields. across to the left, then stops and looks
PEGEEN (taking up the defence about him.) Is it often the police do be
of her property.) -- What right have coming into this place, master of the
you to be making game of a poor fel- house?
low for minding the priest, when it's MICHAEL. If you'd come in bet-
your own the fault is, not paying a ter hours, you'd have seen "Licensed
penny pot-boy to stand along with me for the sale of Beer and Spirits, to be
and give me courage in the doing of consumed on the premises," written in
my work? (She snaps the coat away white letters above the door, and what
from him, and goes behind counter would the polis want spying on me,
with it.) and not a decent house within four
MICHAEL -- (taken aback.) -- miles, the way every living Christian
Where would I get a pot-boy? Would is a bona fide, saving one widow
you have me send the bell-man alone?
screaming in the streets of Castlebar? CHRISTY -- (with relief.) -- It's a
SHAWN -- (opening the door a safe house, so. (He goes over to the
chink and putting in his head, in a fire, sighing and moaning. Then he
small voice.) -- Michael James! sits down, putting his glass beside him
MICHAEL -- (imitating him.) -- and begins gnawing a turnip, too mis-
What ails you? erable to feel the others staring at him
SHAWN. The queer dying fellow's with curiosity.)
beyond looking over the ditch. He's MICHAEL -- (going after him.) --
come up, I'm thinking, stealing your Is it yourself fearing the polis? You're
hens. (Looks over his shoulder.) God wanting, maybe?
help me, he's following me now (he CHRISTY. There's many wanting.
runs into room), and if he's heard MICHAEL. Many surely, with the
what I said, he'll be having my life, broken harvest and the ended wars.
and I going home lonesome in the (He picks up some stockings, etc., that
darkness of the night. (For a percepti- are near the fire, and carries them
ble moment they watch the door with away furtively.) It should be larceny,
curiosity. Some one coughs outside. I'm thinking?
Then Christy Mahon, a slight young CHRISTY -- (dolefully.) I had it
man, comes in very tired and fright- in my mind it was a different word
ened and dirty.) and a bigger.
CHRISTY -- (in a small voice.) -- PEGEEN. There's a queer lad.
God save all here! Were you never slapped in school,
MEN. God save you kindly. young fellow, that you don't know the
name of your deed?

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