Leaving the Irish workhouse to labour for the redcoats, over the years, Tomas gradually learns the skill of map making. After marriage, his son, Liam accompanies him on these working trips for the English, leaving his wife and two daughters in Dublin. When he stumbles upon a copse, Tomas does not return for several days, abandoning Liam who grows frightened. When Tomas, does appear, he is no longer stern, but jibbers on hardly making sense and Liam fears his old father won’t return. Tomas no longer wishes to help the English map Ireland and Liam is worried for the rest of the family who need the money. But what lays install for Tomas, is far worse and sets him at odds with Liam for the remainder of his life.