Aye, to be sure. He'd rather get the better o' Graeme in an argyment as settle wi' him over twenty sons, the ould gomeril.

[John Graeme and William John Granahan enter.]

How dy'e do, Mr. Graeme?

[She shakes hands with him warmly and warns the husband by nods not to resume the argument.]

It's the brave weather for the crops this.

JOHN GRAEME.

Indeed we should be deeply thankful for the marcies vouchsafed us.

[Solemnly.]

Aye indeed.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Well indeed I would be that myself, only the half o' them young chickens goin' off with the gapes. It was a tarr'ble to do to save what's left o' them.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Oh well. Its all in the way o' Providence, Mr. Graeme.

[She looks disapprovingly across at Granahan.

The two men seat themselves. John Graeme beside table and Wm. Granahan on edge of table next him.]

That was a fine lecture on the Temperance ye gied us Mr. Graeme, at Ballykelly. It done some people a heap o' good.

[She looks across meaningly at William Granahan.]

JOHN GRAEME.

[Apparently much pleased.]

Do you say so, Mrs. Granahan? I'm much pleased indeed to hear o' it.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

I only wished more o' the same kind had heerd you.

[She looks across again at William John Granahan who avoids her eye.]

But you'll excuse me, I'm sure. I ha'e some things next room to look after for the evenin'.

[She curtsies to Graeme and with a warning look at Granahan goes into room.]

JOHN GRAEME.

I am very much pleased indeed to hear your good woman say she liked what I said. How did ye take to it yourself, Mr. Granahan?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Suddenly waking up from twisting and untwisting a piece of string which he has found and in which he appears deeply interested while his wife is talking.]

How did we like the speech you gave on temperance, d'ye say?

[Carelessly.]

Och, it was a very good and sensible discoorse, so I heerd Ellen and Mrs. Granahan say.

JOHN GRAEME.

Ye didn't go yourself then.

[Disappointedly.]

Man, I wanted ye there particuler.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I ha'e no doot if I had been there, I could ha' got up and contrad.i.c.kted ye, for

[Emphatically.]

I did not agree wi' all I heerd ye said.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Surprised.]

Not agree wi' what I said.

[Scornfully with evident disgust.]

Man, ye couldn't argy wi' facts. What did ye disagree wi' in the discoorse?