Donagh:  And if he could move about this house, even in his great age.  He never got accustomed to the smallness of the hut down at Cussmona.

Hugh:  When I was a bit of a gosoon I remember the people talking about the eviction of Donagh Ford.  It was terrible work used to be in Carrabane those times.  Your father was the first man to fight, and that was why the people thought so well of him.

Donagh:  He would never speak of it himself, for at home he was a silent, proud man.  But my mother used to be telling me of it many a time.

Hugh:  Your mother and yourself have the place back now.  And you have Agnes to think of.

Donagh:  Agnes is a good thought to me surely.  Was she telling you we fixed the day of the wedding yesterday at your uncle’s?

Hugh:  She was not.  A girl like her is often shy of speaking about a thing of that kind to her brother.  I’d only be making game of her. (A cheer is heard in the distance outside.  Hugh goes to look out door.)

Hugh:  Here is the car coming up the road with your mother and Agnes.  They’re giving her a welcome.

Donagh (looking out of window):  She’ll be very proud of the people, they to have such a memory of my father.

Hugh:  I’ll run out and greet her. (In a sly undertone.) Agnes is coming up. (He goes out laughing.  Donagh hangs up harness on some pegs.  Agnes Deely, wearing a shawl over her head and carrying a basket on her arm, comes in.)

Agnes:  Donagh, your mother was greatly excited leaving the hut.  I think she doesn’t rightly understand what is happening.

Donagh:  I was afeard of that.  The memory slips on her betimes.  She thinks she’s back in the old days again.

Agnes (going to dresser, taking parcels from the basket.):  My father was saying that we should have everything here as much like what it used to be as we can.  That’s why he brought up the bin.  When they were evicted he took it up to his own place because it was too big for the hut.

Donagh:  Do you know, Agnes, when I came up here this morning with your brother, Hugh, I felt the place strange and lonesome.  I think an evicted house is never the same, even when people go back to it.  There seemed to be some sorrow hanging over it.

Agnes (putting up her shawl):  Now Donagh, that’s no way for you to be speaking.  If you were to see how glad all the people were!  And you ought to have the greatest joy.

Donagh:  Well, then I thought of you, Agnes, and that changed everything.  I went whistling about the place. (Going to her.) After coming down from your uncle’s yesterday evening I heard the first cry of the cuckoo in the wood at Raheen.

Agnes:  That was a good omen, Donagh.

Donagh:  I took it that way, too, for it was the first greeting I got after parting from yourself.  Did you hear it, Agnes?