The Turn of the Road Part 23

Aye, to be sure. He'd rather get the better o' Graeme in an argyment as settle wi' him over twenty sons, the ould gomeril.

[John Graeme and William John Granahan enter.]

How dy'e do, Mr. Graeme?

[She shakes hands with him warmly and warns the husband by nods not to resume the argument.]

It's the brave weather for the crops this.

JOHN GRAEME.

Indeed we should be deeply thankful for the marcies vouchsafed us.

[Solemnly.]

Aye indeed.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Well indeed I would be that myself, only the half o' them young chickens goin' off with the gapes. It was a tarr'ble to do to save what's left o' them.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Oh well. Its all in the way o' Providence, Mr. Graeme.

[She looks disapprovingly across at Granahan.

The two men seat themselves. John Graeme beside table and Wm. Granahan on edge of table next him.]

That was a fine lecture on the Temperance ye gied us Mr. Graeme, at Ballykelly. It done some people a heap o' good.

[She looks across meaningly at William Granahan.]

JOHN GRAEME.

[Apparently much pleased.]

Do you say so, Mrs. Granahan? I'm much pleased indeed to hear o' it.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

I only wished more o' the same kind had heerd you.

[She looks across again at William John Granahan who avoids her eye.]

But you'll excuse me, I'm sure. I ha'e some things next room to look after for the evenin'.

[She curtsies to Graeme and with a warning look at Granahan goes into room.]

JOHN GRAEME.

I am very much pleased indeed to hear your good woman say she liked what I said. How did ye take to it yourself, Mr. Granahan?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Suddenly waking up from twisting and untwisting a piece of string which he has found and in which he appears deeply interested while his wife is talking.]

How did we like the speech you gave on temperance, d'ye say?

[Carelessly.]

Och, it was a very good and sensible discoorse, so I heerd Ellen and Mrs. Granahan say.

JOHN GRAEME.

Ye didn't go yourself then.

[Disappointedly.]

Man, I wanted ye there particuler.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I ha'e no doot if I had been there, I could ha' got up and contrad.i.c.kted ye, for

[Emphatically.]

I did not agree wi' all I heerd ye said.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Surprised.]

Not agree wi' what I said.

[Scornfully with evident disgust.]

Man, ye couldn't argy wi' facts. What did ye disagree wi' in the discoorse?