The Turn of the Road Part 22

[Getting off seat and standing about centre of room.]

He'll take to it yet.

[He goes over nearer fireplace.]

I can see it workin' in him. Sure his hands are tremblin' and his fingers twitchin' all the times he's lookin' at it.

[The grandfather enters softly by door at back. He stands looking at Samuel James who does not observe him.]

Maybe its no' right of me to let it hang there. Ach. He maybe could make money plenty. I want till have a fine place and a lock o' money.

And I'll build a bigger house.

GRANDFATHER.

[Hobbling over to his seat.]

Aye. Aye. Ye could do a heap wi' money, Samuel James.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Alarmed. He endeavours to bluff it with a show of geniality.]

Money's the thing, Grand-da.

GRANDFATHER.

Its a tarr'ble fine thing, there's no doubt. Food and drink and fine clothes and fine houses ye can get.

SAMUEL JAMES.

And tobaccy and seegars and the front seat at a consart.

GRANDFATHER.

Here. Don't be temptin' Robbie John about playin' on that fiddle.

You've upset the boy.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Sharply.]

I don't temp' him.

GRANDFATHER.

You're always remindin' him of it. I can see what you're workin' for Samuel James. Ye want all the money for yourself.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Ha' sense, Grand-da. Sure they're settlin' the matter to-day and he's to be married at Christmas. He wouldn't do anythin' rash now.

GRANDFATHER.

The clock has no' struck the hour yet Samuel James. Ye could no' tell what's workin' in his mind.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Well, he'd be a fool, and what's more, he knows himself to be one if he goes. He'll lose all the money from Da if he goes, and I'm sure Jennie Graeme's father wouldn't turn his head to look at a fiddler.

GRANDFATHER.

Aye. He's tarr'ble proud o' his family.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

[Opens door of room and comes in.]

Here. I seen Mr. Graeme and your Da comin' up the loney from the windy in the low room.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Well, they'll be for comin' in here and we're only in the road. Come and twist a wheen o' ropes for me.

[Samuel James and Grandfather go out by door at back.]

MRS. GRANAHAN.

[Takes brush and sweeps floor. She then arranges a kettle at the fire. Then goes to door and looks out.]

Aye. Here he bes now and that good man o' mine talkin' till him a dozen till one. And ten till one, he'll have John Graeme that angered wi' his arguin', that there'll be nothin' settled the day.

[Sound of William John Granahan's voice.

He appears to be talking at a great rate and most emphatically.

John Graeme and William John Granahan pa.s.s the window.]