MRS. DELANE. How would I know what brought him?
MR. QUIRKE. It is what he did; he made as if to go away--he turned back again and I shaving--he brought away the sheep--he will have it for evidence against me----
MRS. DELANE. [_Interested._] That might be so.
MR. QUIRKE. I would sooner it to have been any other beast nearly ever I had upon the rack.
MR. QUIRKE. I bade the Widow Early to kill it a fortnight ago--but she would not, she was that covetous!
MR. QUIRKE. How would I know what was on it? Whatever was on it, it was the will of God put it upon it--wasted it was, and shivering and refusing its share.
MR. QUIRKE. Gone all to nothing--wore away like a flock of thread. It did not weigh as much as a lamb of two months.
MRS. DELANE. It is likely the inspector will bring it to Dublin?
MR. QUIRKE. The ribs of it streaky with the dint of patent medicines----
MRS. DELANE. I wonder is it to the Petty Sessions you'll be brought or is it to the Assizes?
MR. QUIRKE. I'll speak up to them. I'll make my defense. What can the army expect at fippence a pound?
MRS. DELANE. It is likely there will be no bail allowed?
MR. QUIRKE. Would they be wanting me to give them good quality meat out of my own pocket? Is it to encourage them to fight the poor Indians and Africans they would have me? It's the Anti-Enlisting Societies should pay the fine for me.
MRS. DELANE. It's not a fine will be put on you, I'm afraid. It's five years in jail you will be apt to be getting. Well, I'll try and be a good neighbor to poor Mrs. Quirke.
[MR. QUIRKE, _who has been stamping up and down, sits down and weeps_. HALVEY _comes in and stands on one side_.
MR. QUIRKE. Hadn't I heart-scalding enough before, striving to rear five weak children?
MRS. DELANE. I suppose they will be sent to the Industrial Schools?
MRS. DELANE. I'm afraid the workhouse----
MR. QUIRKE. And she out in an ass-car at this minute, helping me to follow my trade.
MRS. DELANE. I hope they will not arrest her along with you.
MR. QUIRKE. I'll give myself up to justice. I'll plead guilty! I'll be recommended to mercy!
MR. QUIRKE. Who would think so great a misfortune could come upon a family through the bringing away of one sheep!
HYACINTH. [_Coming forward._] Let you make yourself easy.