SCENE.--{The last cottage at the head of a long glen in County Wicklow.
Cottage kitchen;turf fire on the right;a bed near it against the wall with a body lying on it covered with a sheet.A door is at the other end of the room,with a low table near it,and stools,or wooden chairs.There are a couple of glasses on the table,and a bottle of whisky,as if for a wake,with two cups,a teapot,and a home-made cake.There is another small door near the bed.Nora Burke is moving about the room,settling a few things,and lighting candles on the table,looking now and then at the bed with an uneasy look.Some one knocks softly at the door.She takes up a stocking with money from the table and puts it in her pocket.Then she opens the door.}
TRAMP
{Outside.}
Good evening to you,lady of the house.
NORA
Good evening,kindly stranger,it's a wild night,God help you,to be out in the rain falling.
TRAMP
It is,surely,and I walking to Brittas from the Aughrim fair.
NORA
Is it walking on your feet,stranger?
TRAMP
On my two feet,lady of the house,and when I saw the light below I thought maybe if you'd a sup of new milk and a quiet decent corner where a man could sleep {he looks in past her and sees the dead man.}The Lord have mercy on us all!
NORA
It doesn't matter anyway,stranger,come in out of the rain.
TRAMP
{Coming in slowly and going towards the bed.}
Is it departed he is?
NORA
It is,stranger.He's after dying on me,God forgive him,and there I am now with a hundred sheep beyond on the hills,and no turn drawn for the winter.
TRAMP
{Looking closely at the dead man.}
It's a queer look is on him for a man that's dead.
NORA
{Half-humorously.}
He was always queer,stranger,and I suppose them that's queer and they living men will be queer bodies after.
TRAMP
Isn't it a great wonder you're letting him lie there,and he is not tidied,or laid out itself?
NORA
{Coming to the bed.}
I was afeard,stranger,for he put a black curse on me this morning if I'ld touch his body the time he'ld die sudden,or let any one touch it except his sister only,and it's ten miles away she lives in the big glen over the hill.