Broadbent.  No:  he’s wired to say he’s had a breakdown and will come on as soon as he can.  He expects to be here at about ten.

Aunt Judy.  There now!  Fancy him trustn himself in a motor and we all expectn him!  Just like him! he’d never do anything like anybody else.  Well, what can’t be cured must be injoored.  Come on in, all of you.  You must be dyin for your tea, Mr Broadbent.

Broadbent [with a slight start].  Oh, I’m afraid it’s too late for tea [he looks at his watch].

Aunt Judy.  Not a bit:  we never have it airlier than this.  I hope they gave you a good dinner at Athenmullet.

Broadbent [trying to conceal his consternation as he realizes that he is not going to get any dinner after his drive] Oh—­er—­ excellent, excellent.  By the way, hadn’t I better see about a room at the hotel? [They stare at him].

Cornelius.  The hotel!

Father Dempsey.  Hwat hotel?

Aunt Judy.  Indeedn you’e not goin to a hotel.  You’ll stay with us.  I’d have put you into Larry’s room, only the boy’s pallyass is too short for you; but we’ll make a comfortable bed for you on the sofa in the parlor.

Broadbent.  You’re very kind, Miss Doyle; but really I’m ashamed to give you so much trouble unnecessarily.  I shan’t mind the hotel in the least.

Father Dempsey.  Man alive!  There’s no hotel in Rosscullen.

Broadbent.  No hotel!  Why, the driver told me there was the finest hotel in Ireland here. [They regard him joylessly].

Aunt Judy.  Arra would you mind what the like of him would tell you?  Sure he’d say hwatever was the least trouble to himself and the pleasantest to you, thinkin you might give him a thruppeny bit for himself or the like.

Broadbent.  Perhaps there’s a public house.

Father Dempsey [grimly.] There’s seventeen.

Aunt Judy.  Ah then, how could you stay at a public house?  They’d have no place to put you even if it was a right place for you to go.  Come! is it the sofa you’re afraid of?  If it is, you can have me own bed.  I can sleep with Nora.

Broadbent.  Not at all, not at all:  I should be only too delighted.  But to upset your arrangements in this way—­

Cornelius [anxious to cut short the discussion, which makes him ashamed of his house; for he guesses Broadbent’s standard of comfort a little more accurately than his sister does] That’s all right:  it’ll be no trouble at all.  Hweres Nora?

Aunt Judy.  Oh, how do I know?  She slipped out a little while ago:  I thought she was goin to meet the car.

Cornelius [dissatisfied] It’s a queer thing of her to run out o the way at such a time.

Aunt Judy.  Sure she’s a queer girl altogether.  Come.  Come in, come in.