In Shadow of the Glen | Page 5

they found Darcy. . . . Then I knew it was
himself I was after hearing, and I wasn't afeard any more.
NORA [Speaking sorrowfully and slowly.] God spare Darcy, he'ld
always look in here and he passing up or passing down, and it's very
lonesome I was after him a long while (she looks over at the bed and

lowers her voice, speaking very clearly,) and then I got happy again --
if it's ever happy we are, stranger, -- for I got used to being lonesome.
[A short pause; then she stands up.]
NORA Was there any one on the last bit of the road, stranger, and you
coming from Aughrim?
TRAMP There was a young man with a drift of mountain ewes, and he
running after them this way and that.
NORA [With a half-smile.] Far down, stranger?
TRAMP A piece only. [She fills the kettle and puts it on the fire.]
NORA Maybe, if you're not easy afeard, you'ld stay here a short while
alone with himself.
TRAMP I would surely. A man that's dead can do no hurt.
NORA [Speaking with a sort of constraint.] I'm going a little back to
the west, stranger, for himself would go there one night and another
and whistle at that place, and then the young man you're after seeing --
a kind of a farmer has come up from the sea to live in a cottage beyond
-- would walk round to see if there was a thing we'ld have to be done,
and I'm wanting him this night, the way he can go down into the glen
when the sun goes up and tell the people that himself is dead.
TRAMP [Looking at the body in the sheet.] It's myself will go for him,
lady of the house, and let you not be destroying yourself with the great
rain.
NORA You wouldn't find your way, stranger, for there's a small path
only, and it running up between two sluigs where an ass and cart would
be drowned. (She puts a shawl over her head.) Let you be making
yourself easy, and saying a prayer for his soul, and it's not long I'll be
coming again.
TRAMP [Moving uneasily.] Maybe if you'd a piece of a grey thread
and a sharp needle -- there's great safety in a needle, lady of the house
-- I'ld be putting a little stitch here and there in my old coat, the time I'll
be praying for his soul, and it going up naked to the saints of God.
NORA [Takes a needle and thread from the front of her dress and gives
it to him.] There's the needle, stranger, and I'm thinking you won't be
lonesome, and you used to the back hills, for isn't a dead man itself
more company than to be sitting alone, and hearing the winds crying,
and you not knowing on what thing your mind would stay?
TRAMP [Slowly.] It's true, surely, and the Lord have mercy on us all!

[Nora goes out. The Tramp begins stitching one of the tags in his coat,
saying the "De Profundis" under his breath. In an instant the sheet is
drawn slowly down, and Dan Burke looks out. The Tramp moves
uneasily, then looks up, and springs to his feet with a movement of
terror.]
DAN [With a hoarse voice.] Don't be afeard, stranger; a man that's dead
can do no hurt.
TRAMP [Trembling.] I meant no harm, your honour; and won't you
leave me easy to be saying a little prayer for your soul?
[A long whistle is heard outside.]
DAN [Sitting up in his bed and speaking fiercely.] Ah, the devil mend
her. . . . Do you hear that, stranger? Did ever you hear another woman
could whistle the like of that with two fingers in her mouth? (He looks
at the table hurriedly.) I'm destroyed with the drouth, and let you bring
me a drop quickly before herself will come back.
TRAMP [Doubtfully.] Is it not dead you are?
DAN How would I be dead, and I as dry as a baked bone, stranger?
TRAMP [Pouring out the whisky.] What will herself say if she smells
the stuff on you, for I'm thinking it's not for nothing you're letting on to
be dead?
DAN It is not, stranger, but she won't be coming near me at all, and it's
not long now I'll be letting on, for I've a cramp in my back, and my
hip's asleep on me, and there's been the devil's own fly itching my nose.
It's near dead I was wanting to sneeze, and you blathering about the
rain, and Darcy (bitterly) -- the devil choke him -- and the towering
church. (Crying out impatiently.) Give me that whisky. Would you
have herself