SIR DENIS However, I suppose in time we will get accustomed to our new surroundin’s and environment.  The Prince of Wales, they say, is hard to please, but I have no doubt that he will be glad to meet Lady Delahunty and myself.

DONAL I have no doubt whatever but he will be delighted to meet Lady Delahunty and yourself.  But, of course, every man’s trouble appears greater to himself, than to his neighbours.  And as we all think more about ourselves than any one else, and as you have now partially recovered from the unexpected stroke of royal generosity, we might as well get down to business and fix up that match with Kitty and your son Finbarr.

SIR DENIS With reference to the royal favour, Donal, I might as well be candid and say, that it wasn’t altogether unexpected, because I knew somethin’ was going to happen.  I felt it in my bones.

KITTY Nonsense, Sir Denis; it must have been the rheumatics you felt.

DONAL
That’s all well and good, but what about the match?

KITTY
Spare yourself the trouble of trying to make a match
for me.

DONAL If you don’t hold your tongue, I’ll be put to the bother of lockin’ you up in your own room, and feedin’ you on promises until your spirit is broken.  That’s the only way to treat a contrary, impudent creature like you.

SIR DENIS
Let there be no crossness on my account, Donal.

DONAL Well, I have carefully considered what we were discussin’ last week, and I have decided to give three hundred pounds, twenty acres of rich loamy soil, without a rock, a furze bush, or a cobble stone in it, five milch cows, six sheep, three clockin’ hens and a clutch of ducklin’s.  Provided, of course, that you will give the same.  That much should be enough to give my daughter and your son a start in life.  And I may tell you that’s much more than herself and myself started out with.  Well, Sir Denis, is it a bargain or is it not?

SIR DENIS No two people could get a better start, Donal.  But it isn’t in my power to come to any settlement until herself, I mean Lady Delahunty, arrives.  She is up at the dressmaker’s, and should be here in a minute or two. [Knock at the door.  Kitty opens and Lady Delahunty enters.  She is dressed in a new sealskin coat, black dress, and white petticoat and a badly fitting bonnet.  Mrs. Corcoran is greatly impressed with her appearance and offers her a chair.

MRS. CORCORAN AND DONAL
Congratulations, Lady Delahunty, congratulations. 
Be seated, be seated.

[Mrs. Corcoran draws her chair near Lady Delahunty and while Donal and Sir Denis are talking, in an undertone, Mrs. Corcoran speaks.

MRS. CORCORAN
That’s a beautiful new coat, Lady Delahunty.

LADY DELAHUNTY (proudly)
Fifty-five guineas.

MRS. CORCORAN
’Tis worth more.

LADY DELAHUNTY
So Sir Denis says.

MRS. CORCORAN (stoops and feels the edge of the lace petticoat, which is well exposed) That’s the nicest piece of lace I have seen for many a long day.