MRS. COTTER (_crying, hands key_)
Oh, wisha, what'll I do at all?
HEAD (_taking key_)
You'll be told that later on, ma'am.
MRS. COTTER
They are only two neighbors like y'erselves. Can't
ye go away an' lave 'em alone?
HEAD (_placing key_)
Not a word now, ma'am, for anythin' that you will
say or won't say must be used in evidence ag'inst ye.
PADNA (_singing_)
"Who fears to speak of Ninety-eight?
Who blushes at the name?
When cowards mock the patriots' fate,
Who hangs his head for shame?
He's all a knave or half a slave,
Who slights his country thus:
But true men, like you, men,
Will drink your glass with us."
HEAD (to _Mrs. Cotter_)
That's a nice song to be singin' on a licensed premises,
ma'am. 'Twould cause a riot if there was enough
o' people about. No less than raidin' the police
barracks would satisfy the likes o' that songster if he
was left at large. (_Opens door. Padna and Micus
stagger on to the floor. They fall but get on their feet
again_) What are ye doin' here?
PADNA
What the devil is that to you?
MICUS
Or to any one else either?
HEAD
Do ye know that this is a licensed premises?
PADNA (_looking at Micus_)
Of course we do.
HEAD
An' do ye know that this is Sunday night an' that
I'm the Head Constable, an' that one o' these min
here is the Sergeant an' the other is the Constable?
PADNA (_buttons his coat and looks defiantly at them_)
An' do ye know that I'm Padna Sweeney from Clashbeg?
MICUS (_also buttons his coat and looks aggressively at
Head_)
An' that I'm his old pal Micus Goggin from Castleclover?
PADNA (_as he staggers_)
Don't mind him, Micus.
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