whole of ye. To be without ye would be no harm
at all. (_Sits down and weeps_.) Of all the families
anyone would wish to live away from I am full
sure my family is the worst.

_Mother:_ Ah, dear, you're worn out and contrary
with the want of sleep. Come now into the
room and stretch yourself on the bed. To go
sleeping out in the grass has no right rest in it at
all! (_Takes his arm_.)

_Conan:_ Where's the use of lying on my bed
where it is convenient to the yard, that I'd be
afflicted by the turkeys yelping and the pullets
praising themselves after laying an egg! and the
cackling and hissing of the geese.

_Mother:_ Lie down so on the settle, and I'll let
no one disturb you. You're destroyed, avic, with
the want of sleep.

_Conan:_ There'll be no peace in this kitchen no
more than on the common highway with the
people running in and out.

_Mother:_ I'll go sit in the little gap without, and
the whole place will be as quiet as St. Colman's
wilderness of stones.

_Conan:_ The boards are too hard.

_Mother:_ I'll put a pillow in under you.

_Conan:_ Now it's too narrow. Leave me now
it'll be best.

_Mother:_ Sleep and good dreams to you. (_Goes
singing sleepy song_.)

_Conan:_ The most troublesome family ever I
knew in all my born days! Why is that people
cannot have behaviour now the same as in ancient
Greece. (_Sits up_.) I'll not give them the satisfaction
of going asleep. I'll drink a sup of the
tea that is black with standing and with strength.
(_Drinks and lies down_.) I'll engage that'll keep
me waking. (_Music heard_.) Is it to annoy me
they are playing tunes of music? I'll let on to be
asleep! (_Shuts eyes_.)

(_Two large Cats with fiery eyes look over top
of settle_.)

_1st Cat:_

See the fool that crossed our path
Rummaging within the rath.

Coveting a spell is bound
Agelong in our haunted ground.

Hid that none disturb its peace
By a Druid out from Greece.

Spies and robbers have no call
Rooting in our ancient wall.

M