Agnes: This is no day for sad thoughts. Think of the great thing it is for you to be back here again.
Mrs. Ford: Ah, that's the truth, girl. Did the world ever hear of such a story as an old woman like me to be standing in this place and the planter gone from Currabane! And if Donagh Ford is gone to his rest his son is here to answer for him.
Donagh: The world knows I can never be the man my father was.
Mrs. Ford (_raising her stick with a little cry_): Ah-ha, the people saw the great strength of Donagh Ford. 'They talk of a tenant at will,' he'd say, 'but who is it that can chain the purpose of a man's mind.' And they all saw it. There was no great spirit in the country when Donagh Ford took the courage of his own heart and called the people together.
Hugh: This place was a place of great strife then.
Mrs. Ford: God send, Agnes Deely, that you'll never have the memory of a bitter eviction burned into your mind.
Donagh: That's all over and done now, mother. There is a new life before you.
Mrs. Ford: Well, they had their way and put us across the threshold. But if they did it was on this hearth was kindled a blaze that swept the townland and wrapped the country. It went from one place to another and no wave that rose upon the Shannon could hold it back. It was a thing that no power could check, for it ran in the blood and only wasted in the vein of the father to leap fresh in the heart of the son. Ah, I will go on my knees and kiss the threshold of this house for the things it calls to mind. (_She goes to door, kneeling down and kissing the threshold._)
Hugh: It is a great hold she has on the old days and a great spirit. (_A low murmur of voices is heard in the distance outside._)
Donagh: They are turning the ploughs into the second field.
Mrs. Ford: What's that you say about the ploughs?
Donagh (_going to her_): The boys are breaking up the land for us. (_He and Hugh help her to rise. They are all grouped at the door._)
Agnes: It was they who cheered you on the road.
Donagh. I can only make out little dark spots against the green of the fields.
Mrs. Ford (_crossing to fireplace_): The people are beginning to gather behind the ploughs again. Tell me, Donagh, what way is the wind coming?