Broadbent [complacently].  Well, it was a pretty obvious move, I should think.  You know, these fellows have plenty of shrewdness in spite of their Irish oddity. [Hodson comes from the house.  Larry sits in Doran’s chair and reads].  Oh, by the way, Hodson—­

Hodson [coming between Broadbent and Larry].  Yes, sir?

Broadbent.  I want you to be rather particular as to how you treat the people here.

Hodson.  I haven’t treated any of em yet, sir.  If I was to accept all the treats they offer me I shouldn’t be able to stand at this present moment, sir.

Broadbent.  Oh well, don’t be too stand-offish, you know, Hodson.  I should like you to be popular.  If it costs anything I’ll make it up to you.  It doesn’t matter if you get a bit upset at first:  they’ll like you all the better for it.

Hodson.  I’m sure you’re very kind, sir; but it don’t seem to matter to me whether they like me or not.  I’m not going to stand for parliament here, sir.

Broadbent.  Well, I am.  Now do you understand?

Hodson [waking up at once].  Oh, I beg your pardon, sir, I’m sure. 
I understand, sir.

Cornelius [appearing at the house door with Mat].  Patsy’ll drive the pig over this evenin, Mat.  Goodbye. [He goes back into the house.  Mat makes for the gate.  Broadbent stops him.  Hodson, pained by the derelict basket, picks it up and carries it away behind the house].

Broadbent [beaming candidatorially].  I must thank you very particularly, Mr Haffigan, for your support this morning.  I value it because I know that the real heart of a nation is the class you represent, the yeomanry.

Matthew [aghast] The yeomanry!!!

Larry [looking up from his paper].  Take care, Tom!  In Rosscullen a yeoman means a sort of Orange Bashi-Bazouk.  In England, Mat, they call a freehold farmer a yeoman.

Matthew [huffily].  I don’t need to be insthructed be you, Larry Doyle.  Some people think no one knows anythin but dhemselves. [To Broadbent, deferentially] Of course I know a gentleman like you would not compare me to the yeomanry.  Me own granfather was flogged in the sthreets of Athenmullet be them when they put a gun in the thatch of his house an then went and found it there, bad cess to them!

Broadbent [with sympathetic interest].  Then you are not the first martyr of your family, Mr Haffigan?

Matthew.  They turned me out o the farm I made out of the stones o Little Rosscullen hill wid me own hans.

Broadbent.  I have heard about it; and my blood still boils at the thought. [Calling] Hodson—­

Hodson [behind the corner of the house] Yes, sir. [He hurries forward].

Broadbent.  Hodson:  this gentleman’s sufferings should make every Englishman think.  It is want of thought rather than want of heart that allows such iniquities to disgrace society.