The Gaol Gate, Lady Gregory

• MARY CAHEL. I am thinking we are come to our journey's end, and that this should be the gate of the gaol.
• MARY CAHEL. There were good men were galled before him never gave in to anyone at all. It is what I am think, Mary, he might not have done what they say.
• MARY CUSHIN. If he did give their names up itself, there was maybe no wrong in it at all. Sure it's known to all the village it was Terry that fired the shot.
• MARY CAHEL. Stop your mouth now and don't be talking. You haven't any sense worth while. Let the sergeant do his own business with no help from the neighbours at all.
• MARY CUSHIN. There are some of the neighbours have learning, and you bade me not bring it anear them. It would maybe have told us what way he is or what time he will be quitting the gaol.
• MARY CAHEL. If they promised him his life, Mary Cushin, he must live it in some other place. Let him never see Daire-caol again, or Daroda or Druimdarod.
• MARY CAHEL. It is only among strangers, I am thinking, he could be hiding his story at all. It is best for him to go to America, where the people are as thick as grass.
• MARY CAHEL. It is to speak with my son I am asking, that is galled these eight weeks and a day.
• MARY CAHEL. I got this letter ere yesterday. It might be it is giving me leave.
• GATEKEEPER. [Having read letter.] You poor unfortunate women, don't you know Denis Cahel is dead? You'd a right to come this time yesterday if you wished any last word at all.
• MARY CAHEL. There is lasting kindness in Heaven when no kindness is found upon earth. There will surely be mercy found for him, and not the hard judgment of men! But my boy that was best in the world, that never rose hair of my head, to have died with his name under blemish, and left a great shame on his child! Better for him have killed the whole world than to give any witness at all! Have you no word to say, Mary Cushin? Am I left here to keen him alone?
• MARY CUSHIN. ... I would not begrudge you, Denis, and you leaving praises after you. The neighbours keening along with me would be better to me than an estate.
• GATEKEEPER. That is not to be done. He is buried since yesterday in the field that is belonging to the gaol.
• MARY CHAEL. [Standing up.] And the other boys, did they hang them along with him, Terry Fury and Pat Ruane that wer brought from Daire-caol?
• MARY CAHEL. Set free is it, and Denis made an end of? What justice is there in the world at all?
• MARY CAHEL. Then the sergeant was lying and the people were lying when they said Denis Cahel had informed in the gaol?
• MARY CAHEL. [Holding out her hands.] Are there any people in the streets at all till I call on them to come hither? Did they ever hear in Galway such a thing to be done, a man to die for his neighbour?