us be as we are, holy father, and then
we'll be known again in a short while as the people is happy and blind,
and be having an easy time, with no trouble to live, and we getting
halfpence on the road.

MOLLY BYRNE. Let you not be a raving fool, Mary Doul. Kneel down now,
and let him give you your sight, and himself can be sitting here if he
likes it best, and taking halfpence on the road.

TIMMY. That's the truth, Mary; and if it's choosing a wilful blindness
you are, I'm thinking there isn't anyone in this place will ever be
giving you a hand's turn or a hap'orth of meal, or be doing the little
things you need to keep you at all living in the world.

MAT SIMON. If you had your sight, Mary, you could be walking up for him
and down with him, and be stitching his clothes, and keeping a watch on
him day and night the way no other woman would come near him at all.

MARY DOUL -- [half persuaded.] -- That's the truth, maybe.

SAINT. Kneel down now, I'm saying, for it's in haste I am to be going on
with the marriage and be walking my own way before the fall of night.

THE PEOPLE. Kneel down, Mary! Kneel down when you're bid by the Saint!

MARY DOUL -- [looking uneasily towards Martin Doul.] -- Maybe it's right
they are, and I will if you wish it, holy father.

[She kneels down. The Saint takes off his hat and gives it to some one
near him. All the men take off their hats. He goes forward a step to
take Martin Doul's hand away from Mary Doul.]

SAINT -- [to Martin Doul.] -- Go aside now; we're not wanting you here.

MARTIN DOUL -- [pushes him away roughly, and stands with his left hand
on Mary Doul's shoulder.] -- Keep off yourself, holy father, and let you
not be taking my rest from me in the darkness of my wife.... What call
has the like of you to be coming between married people -- that you're
not understanding at all -- and be making a great mess with the holy
water you have, and the length of your prayers? Go on now, I'm saying,
and leave us here on the road.

SAINT. If it was a seeing man I heard talking to me the like of that I'd
put a black curse on him would weigh down his soul till it'd be falling
to hell; but you're a poor blind sinner, God forgive you, and I don't
mind you at all. (He raises his can.) Go aside now till I give the
blessing to your wife, and if you won't go with your own will, there are
those standing by will make you, surely.

MARTIN DOUL -- [pulling Mary Doul.] -- Come along now, and do