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18
CATHLEEN NI HOULIHAN
patrick. The boys are all hurrying down the hillside to join the French.
delia. Michael won’t be going to join the French.
bridget [to peter]. Tell him not to go, Peter.
peter. It’s no use. He doesn’t hear a word we’re saying.
bridget. Try and coax him over to the fire.
delia. Michael, Michael! You won't leave me! You won't join the French, and we going to be married!
[She puts her arms about him, he turns towards her as if about to yield.
old woman's voice outside.
They shall be speaking for ever,
The people shall hear them for ever.
[michael breaks away from delia, stands for a second at the door, then rushes out, following the old woman's voice. bridget takes delia, who is crying silently, into her arms.
peter [to patrick, laying a hand on his arm]. Did you see an old woman going down the path?
patrick. I did not, but I saw a young girl, and she had the walk of a queen.
