h his share of blathering. As sure as I am alive there will
come evil out of this night.

SHEELA. And couldn't you put him out?

MAURYA. I could. There's no person here to help him unless
there would be a woman or two; but he is a great poet, and he has a
curse that would split the trees, and that would burst the stones. They
say the seed will rot in the ground and the milk go from the cows when a
poet like him makes a curse, if a person routed him out of the house;
but if he was once out, I'll go bail I wouldn't let him in again.

SHEELA. If himself were to go out willingly, there would be no
virtue in his curse then.

MAURYA. There would not, but he will not go out willingly, and
I cannot rout him out myself for fear of his curse.

SHEELA. Look at poor Sheamus. He is going over to her.
(SHEAMUS _gets up and goes over to her._)

SHEAMUS. Will you dance this reel with me, Oona, as soon as the
piper is ready?

HANRAHAN (_rising up_). I am Tumaus Hanrahan, and I am speaking
now to Oona ni Regaun; and as she is willing to be talking to me, I will
allow no living person to come between us.

SHEAMUS (_without heeding_ HANRAHAN). Will you not
dance with me, Oona?

HANRAHAN (_savagely_). Didn't I tell you now that it was to me
Oona ni Regaun was talking? Leave that on the spot, you clown, and do
not raise a disturbance here.

SHEAMUS. Oona----

HANRAHAN (_shouting_). Leave that! (SHEAMUS _goes
away, and comes over to the two old women._)

SHEAMUS. Maurya Regaun, I am asking leave of you to throw that
ill-mannerly, drunken vagabond out of the house. Myself and my two
brothers will put him out if you will allow us; and when he's outside
I'll settle with him.

MAURYA. Sheamus, do not; I am afraid of him. That man has a
curse they say that would split the trees.

SHEAMUS. I don't care if he had a curse that would overthrow
the heavens; it is on me it will fall, and I defy him! If he were to
kill me on the moment, I will not allow him to put his spells on Oona.
Give me leave, Maurya.

SHEELA. Do not, Sheamus. I have a better advice than that.

SHEAMUS. What advice is that?

SHEELA. I have a way in my head to put him out. If you follow
my advice, he will go out himself as quiet as a lamb; and when you get
him out, slap the door on him, and never let him in again.

MAURYA. Luck from God on you, Sheela, and tell us what's in
your head.

SHEELA. We will do it as nice and easy as you ever saw. We will
put him