Martin Doul rubs his face furtively with
the tail of his coat. Molly Byrne comes on right with a
water-can, and begins to fill it at the well.]
MARTIN DOUL. God save you, Molly Byrne.
MOLLY BYRNE -- [indifferently.] -- God save you.
MARTIN DOUL. That's a dark, gloomy day, and the Lord have mercy
on us all.
MOLLY BYRNE. Middling dark.
MARTIN DOUL. It's a power of dirty days, and dark mornings, and
shabby-looking fellows (he makes a gesture over his shoulder) we
do have to be looking on when we have our sight, God help us, but
there's one fine thing we have, to be looking on a grand, white,
handsome girl, the like of you . . . . and every time I set my
eyes on you I do be blessing the saints, and the holy water, and
the power of the Lord Almighty in the heavens above.
MOLLY BYRNE. I've heard the priests say it isn't looking on a
young girl would teach many to be saying their prayers. [Bailing
water into her can with a cup.]
MARTIN DOUL. It isn't many have been the way I was, hearing your
voice speaking, and not seeing you at all.
MOLLY BYRNE. That should have been a queer time for an old,
wicked, coaxing fool to be sitting there with your eyes shut, and
not seeing a sight of girl or woman passing the road.
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