Christopher (in a rage) For Christ’s sake! What are you –?

David Sorry. Sorry – sorry –

Christopher Look what you’ve done!

David I was only showing you –

Christopher You’ve destroyed the record, too! Jesus, what sort of a dolt are you?

David I was just –

Christopher For God’s sake go and get me a clean shirt! Look at the mess!

David A what?

Christopher A shirt – a shirt! Are you deaf, too?

David Sorry, Father. I didn’t mean –

Christopher Stop mouthing! Go and get me clean clothes!

David I’m sorry. I really am –

Christopher And stop apologising! Oh, for God’s sake –

David dashes into the house. Margaret, absorbed in the music and in her own memories, has been unaware of this commotion. Christopher goes to where she is sitting. This is the final straw. He is on the verge of breakdown. His resilience is spent.

Look at the mess I’m in, Maggie. Look at what that damned fool did to me. For God’s sake.

Margaret Sit down beside me.

Christopher He tells me there’s a falcon up in the trees and the moment I look up he lashes out at me.

Her mood unbroken, she calmly wipes his hand with a napkin.

Margaret No harm has been done.

Christopher There probably isn’t a falcon. The oaf only imagined it. Where is he, Maggie? What’s keeping him? Why is he trying to humiliate me?

Margaret Shhh.

Christopher He wants me out of the house, doesn’t he? That’s his plan, isn’t it, Maggie?

Margaret Shhh.

Christopher Of course it’s his plan. Of course there’s an ugly scheme abroad. Maybe he’s in cahoots with that gang that murdered poor old Lifford. Maybe they’re plotting out there already. Maybe the whole of Ballybeg is going to rise up and …

He breaks down totally. She puts a comforting arm around his shoulder.

Margaret Shhh.

Christopher Oh my God, Maggie.

Margaret Shhh. (She rocks him.)

Christopher I’m shattered, Maggie. I’m in total confusion. I really don’t think –

Margaret Please.

He reaches out and catches her hand.

Christopher Don’t think I’m able to rise above any more.

Margaret Course you can.

Christopher Or ever again. Can’t, Maggie – I can’t.

Margaret Yes, you can. That’s what we all do.

Christopher Not able any more. Resilience is exhausted, Maggie.

Margaret Shhh.

Christopher Help me, Maggie, will you?

David enters the breakfast room. He sees them in their gauche embrace. He stands at the French windows and watches them.

Margaret Listen to the music. Pay attention to the music.

Christopher You don’t resent me, do you?

Margaret Sit quiet and listen.

Christopher I know you won’t betray me, Maggie. I know that.

Margaret Don’t talk. Listen. Pay attention to the music.

Christopher Maggie –

Margaret Shhh. Just listen. Because in a short time Father will come up here for me. Shhh.

They sit in silence and listen to the music, which soon ends. Slow fade.

The End.

Appendix

The following is an extract from ‘Studies in Irish Craniology: The Aran Islands, County Galway’, by Professor A. C. Haddon, read to the Royal Irish Academy, 12 December 1892