The Turn of the Road Part 26

JOHN GRAEME.

You've heerd what I ha'e to say. Take it or lave it. You can plaze yourself.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Five hunnert poun'. It's a tarr'ble price. Would two hunnert no' do?

You see I ha'e Samuel James and Ellen to provide for.

JOHN GRAEME.

A Graeme o' Killainey weds no man unner five hunnert poun', William Granahan. Mind that. I want my daughter married to no beggarman.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Excitedly.]

Beggarman! Beggarman, did ye say? Hats, John Graeme, I think ye should be proud o' wan o' yours marryin' a Granahan. Money or no money, that's a nice way o' talkin'.

JOHN GRAEME.

I suppose ye know I come o' good family, Mr. Granahan?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Sarcastically.]

I heard ye were wance cotter folk up by Dromara mountain.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Proudly.]

My father and my forefathers had my farm--aye, from the time o' the plantin'.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

D'ye tell me? I nivir seen your laase o' the farm but of coorse if ye say so. Did ye nivir hear tell of Smith, Hunter, and Fargison?

JOHN GRAEME.

[Contemptuously.]

John Smith of Ballykelly?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Disgusted.]

Yon cratur? Ballykelly?

[Proudly.]

Lonnon! Well my mother was a daughter o' Samuel James Smith, and a niece o' Robert John Francis Fargison.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Contemptuously.]

I nivir heerd tell o' them.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I wonner at your ignorance John Grame. A well educated man like yourself as sets yourself up to be taching the congregation on matters o' law and the temperance question, (_raising voice_) and you that ignorant o' common information.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

[Opening door and coming in a few steps.]

William John Granahan, didn't I tell ye not to be raisin' argyments.

How you manage at the markets I nivir could understand. Get your business done, and ha' settled wi' it.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Soothingly.]

Whist, whist woman, I was only discoorsin'. Mind the tay and I'll mind the rest. There. There. I agree to your tarms, John Graeme. I'll do it, though it's lavin' me tarr'ble short.

JOHN GRAEME.

[Impressively.]

But there's one thing I'll no ha'e, William Granahan.