Paddy Dignam dead! says Alf.

Ay, says Joe.

Sure I’m after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf, as plain as a pikestaff.

Who’s dead? says Bob Doran.

You saw his ghost then, says Joe, God between us and harm.

What? says Alf. Good Christ, only five... What?... And Willy Murray with him, the two of them there near whatdoyoucallhim’s...

What? Dignam dead?

What about Dignam? says Bob Doran. Who’s talking about...?

Dead! says Alf. He’s no more dead than you are.

Maybe so, says Joe. They took the liberty of burying him this morning anyhow.