CONSTABLE An’ what about me catchin’ the pair o’ ye hidin’ in the coal hole o’ the same licensed premises, an’ a strong smell o’ whiskey from ye?

HEAD
’Tis from yourself that, you smells the whiskey.

CONSTABLE (takes an onion from his pocket, peels it, and eats it slowly) I defy you or any one else to find the smell o’ whiskey from me.

HEAD (to the Sergeant)
Well, don’t that beat Banagher?

SERGEANT
The Devil himself couldn’t do better.

CONSTABLE Well, gentlemen, I’m sorry for troublin’ ye, but duty is duty.  I’ll now place ye under arrest an’ send for the Inspector.

HEAD (in a rage)
No more o’ this nonsense!  You’ll pay for this night’s
work, believe me.

CONSTABLE (smiling) I’ll pay for a drink for both o’ ye for the sake of old times, an’ the less said about this night’s work the better. (All remain silent for a short time) Well, are ye goin’ to have the drink?

SERGEANT (to Head)
We might as well take it, for ’tis the first time he
ever offered to stand, an’ it may be the last.

HEAD (after much consideration)
Very well, then, I’ll have a drop o’ the best.

SERGEANT
An’ I’ll have the same.

CONSTABLE
Three glasses o’ “Wise’s,” Mrs. Cotter.

MRS. COTTER (from the bar)
Certainly, Constable.

[The Head and Sergeant remain silent, and the Constable paces up and down with his hands in his pockets, whistling some popular tune, until Mrs. Cotter brings in the drinks.

MRS. COTTER (as she places the drinks on the table)
I don’t like to see ye in this cold kitchen, gentlemen. 
Can’t ye come up-stairs to the sitting-room?

CONSTABLE
’Tisn’t worth our while, ma’am.  We have our work
to do. (Taking glass in hand) Slainthe!

[Drinks half the quantity of whiskey.  The Head and Sergeant do likewise.  A noise like the falling of furniture is heard from the room where Padna and Micus are.

HEAD (startled)
What’s that?

[There is silence for a while, then Micus is heard singing.

MICUS
“We are the boys of Wexford
  Who fought with heart an’ hand
To burst in twain the galling chain,
  An’ free our native land.”

HEAD (to Mrs. Cotter who has come from the bar)
I’ll have the kay of that door, ma’am.

MRS. COTTER
What kay, Head?

HEAD
The kay o’ that door, ma’am.
[Strikes door with his fist.

MRS. COTTER Erra, Head, what’s the matter with ye?  That door is nailed up this seven years.  That singin’ comes from the next house.

HEAD Glory be to God!  Do any one alive tell the truth? (Catches hold of chair by the back) If you don’t give me the kay, I’ll burst open the door.

MRS. COTTER
I have no kay, Head.