The Turn of the Road Part 11

No.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I'd think nothing of lendin' them till ye. But twelve s.h.i.+llin'! Would three s.h.i.+llin' no' do?

SAMUEL JAMES.

No. It won't. Either give me the twelve s.h.i.+llin' or I'll tell her about your conduck--

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

There. There it is an bad scran to ye. To think o' me walkin' ten mile to the fair and back and arguin' wi' dailers and chates of all kinds and gettin thirty poun' for a baste I wouldn't buy myself for thirty s.h.i.+llin' and only gettin' eight s.h.i.+llin' out o' it.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Whistling and counting money delightedly.]

Aye. Its a hard world and no mistake.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Excitedly.]

I'll go down to the shough and drown myself I will.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Na. Go to MucAlanan's and drown yerself.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I'm danged but you're right. Na. Na. She'll hear me goin' out by the gate.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Boys but you're the poor hearted man. Well I'm away.

[He makes to door.]

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Where now?

SAMUEL JAMES.

To Courdy Williamson's for the loan of a monkey wrinch for the new machine. The hay's for cuttin' the morrow.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Oh aye. An you'll be for coortin' that young imp of a daughter o' his I warrant ye. Were you there yisterday forenoon?

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Somewhat taken aback.]

Yis. Why d'ye ask?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Oh nothin'. Only I hadn't a sowl to help me wi' them cattle.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Well wasn't Robbie John at home? What ailed him he couldn't help ye?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Look you here Samuel James.

[Samuel James comes back nearer.]

I've been worried wi' that boy this long time.

[Samuel James nods approvingly.]

I've made up my mind to-day after seein' yon scarecrow we met at Buckna cross roads, Robbie John aither mends himself or he goes out o' this.

SAMUEL JAMES.

You're right Da. You hae stud his goings on a long time. I think ye do well to stop him. It's only doin' him a kindness.