A great burst of cheering outside, someway off.

Mahon (putting his hands to his ears). What in the name of God do they want roaring below?

Widow Quin (with the shade of a smile). They’re cheering a young lad, the champion Playboy of the Western World.

More cheering.

Mahon (going to window). It’d split my heart to hear them, and I with pulses in my brain-pan for a week gone by. Is it racing they are?

Jimmy (looking from door). It is then. They are mounting him for the mule race will be run upon the sands. That’s the playboy on the winkered mule.

Mahon (puzzled). That lad, is it? If you said it was a fool he was, I’d have laid a mighty oath he was the likeness of my wandering son. (Uneasily, putting his hand to his head.) Faith, I’m thinking I’ll go walking for to view the race.

Widow Quin (stopping him, sharply). You will not. You’d best take the road to Belmullet, and not be dilly-dallying in this place where there isn’t a spot you could sleep.

Philly (coming forward). Don’t mind her. Mount there on the bench and you’ll have a view of the whole. They’re hurrying before the tide will rise, and it’d be near over if you went down the pathway through the crags below.

Mahon (mounts on bench, Widow Quin beside him). That’s a right view again the edge of the sea. They’re coming now from the point. He’s leading. Who is he at all?

Widow Quin He’s the champion of the world, I tell you, and there isn’t a hop’orth isn’t falling lucky to his hands to-day.

Philly (looking out, interested in the race). Look at that. They’re pressing him now.

Jimmy He’ll win it yet.

Philly Take your time, Jimmy Farrell. It’s too soon to say.

Widow Quin (shouting). Watch him taking the gate. There’s riding.

Jimmy (cheering). More power to the young lad!

Mahon He’s passing the third.

Jimmy He’ll lick them yet!

Widow Quin He’d lick them if he was running races with a score itself.

Mahon Look at the mule he has, kicking the stars.

Widow Quin There was a lep! (Catching hold of Mahon in her excitement). He’s fallen! He’s mounted again! Faith, he’s passing them all!

Jimmy Look at him skelping her!

Philly And the mountain girls hooshing him on!