THE CHILD
Hide it away,
And cover it out of sight and out of mind.

(FATHER HART takes it down and carries it towards the
inner room.)

                      FATHER HART

Since you have come into this barony
I will instruct you in our blessed faith: 
Being a clever child you will soon learn.

(To the others)

We must be tender with all budding things. 
Our Maker let no thought of Calvary
Trouble the morning stars in their first song.

(Puts the crucifix in the inner room.)

                      THE CHILD

Here is level ground for dancing.  I will dance. 
The wind is blowing on the waving reeds,
The wind is blowing on the heart of man.

(She dances, swaying about like the reeds.)

                      MAIRE (to SHAWN BRUIN)

Just now when she came near I thought I heard
Other small steps beating upon the floor,
And a faint music blowing in the wind,
Invisible pipes giving her feet the time.

SHAWN BRUIN
I heard no step but hers.

MARIE BRUIN
Look to the bolt! 
Because the unholy powers are abroad.

                      MAURTEEN BRUIN (to THE CHILD)

Come over here, and if you promise me
Not to talk wickedly of holy things
I will give you something.

THE CHILD
Bring it me, old father!

(MAURTEEN BRUIN goes into the next room.)

FATHER HART
I will have queen cakes when you come to me!

(MAURTEEN BRUIN returns and lays a piece of money on
the table. THE CHILD makes a gesture of refusal.)

MAURTEEN BRUIN
It will buy lots of toys; see how it glitters!

                        THE CHILD
  Come, tell me, do you love me?

                        MAURTEEN BRUIN
                                        I love you!

                        THE CHILD
  Ah! but you love this fireside!

FATHER HART
I love you. 
When the Almighty puts so great a share
Of His own ageless youth into a creature,
To look is but to love.

THE CHILD
But you love Him above.

BRIDGET BRUIN
She is blaspheming.

THE CHILD (to MAIRE)
And do you love me?

MARIE BRUIN
I—­I do not know.

                      THE CHILD

You love that great tall fellow over there: 
Yet I could make you ride upon the winds,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame!

                      MARIE BRUIN

Queen of the Angels and kind Saints, defend us! 
Some dreadful fate has fallen:  a while ago
The wind cried out and took the primroses,
And she ran by me laughing in the wind,
And I gave milk and fire, and she came in
And made you hide the blessed crucifix.