His leaf-gold tresses on end, his eyes in baskets from the long night without sleep, Phelim O'LiamRoe smacked his two fists together and cursed. The Queen Dowager, hardly aware of him, had turned her erect body to the window, followed by Margaret Erskine's wide eyes. But Michel Hérisson, who had arrived so unexpectedly on the Irishman's heels, ran his hacked and gouty hands through the wild white hair and said through his teeth, 'Liam aboo, son, Liam aboo! My Gaelic's all out in holes, the way my arse is ridden out through my breeches; but if you are saying what I hope you are saying, Liam aboo, my son, Liam aboo!
In this scene, Phelim O'LiamRoe is visibly exhausted, with disheveled hair and tired eyes, as he angrily slams his fists and curses. The Queen Dowager remains mostly unaware of him, turning her attention to the window, while Margaret Erskine observes the situation with wide eyes. Michel Hérisson arrives unexpectedly, showing signs of fatigue and illness, and attempts to comfort Liam O’LiamRoe with familiar and affectionate words, despite his own state of weariness.
Michel’s informal, heartfelt greeting, “Liam aboo, son, Liam aboo!” reveals a close relationship and a moment of concern and camaraderie amid the tense atmosphere. His humorous and rough language highlights his own hardships and the familiarity shared among these characters, suggesting a scene filled with emotional undercurrents, urgency, and personal bonds amid political or regal tensions.
