bewildered way, and stands whispering to bridget
.
michael. Have you no one to care you in your age, ma’am?
old woman. I have not. With all the lovers that brought me their love I never set out the bed for any.
michael, Are you lonely going the roads, ma'am?
old woman. I have my thoughts and I have my hopes.
michael. What hopes have you to hold for?
old woman. The hope of getting my beautiful fields back again; the hope of putting the strangers out of my house.
michael. What way will you do that, ma'am?
old woman. I have good friends that will help me. They are gathering to help me now. I am not afraid. If they are put down to-day they will get the upper hand to-morrow. [She gets up.] I must be going to meet my friends. They are coming to help me and I must be there to welcome them. I must call the neighbours together to welcome them.
michael. I will go with you.
bridget. It is not her friends you have to go and welcome, Michael; it is the girl coming into the house you have to welcome.
