Eleven

Cal enters Seán Óg’s to a roaring crowd and is seated with Mart, Senan, Bobby, and others. Mart introduces Malachy Dwyer, whose potent poteen quickly loosens the room. Cal drinks cautiously, then joins in, and sings “Pancho and Lefty,” drawing real approval and camaraderie.

Mart leverages the goodwill to arrange practical help: Locky will rewire Cal’s kitchen and find a decent washer. The men tease Cal about courting Lena and joke about Belinda, while Mart publicly stakes that Cal is staying, signaling the group to accept him as a neighbor.

The talk turns to an English blow-in, “Lord Muck,” whose outrage at illegal badger-baiting led to a chaotic confrontation and his departure. The story lays out local codes: protect livelihoods and handle matters within the community; outsiders who challenge that are rejected.

Later, a playful threat to shave Cal’s beard edges toward a hazing, but Mart throws an arm around Cal and shuts it down, reversing tension into laughter. Cal continues bonding—hearing Francie’s heartbreak, buying pints, and joining loud songs—until Mart drives him home through the starry pre-dawn.

Outside his gate, Cal declines to check messages, lies in the grass watching the stars, and briefly considers Mart’s suggestion of amateur astronomy before deciding he prefers tangible problems. Sobering in the cold, he remembers the recent sheep killings, heads in cautiously, and the night falls silent.