The Turn of the Road Part 30

ROBBIE JOHN.

Aye and when its hangin' there dumb its speakin' to me, callin' to me.

Don't think I'm mad Jane but I can't stand it much longer. What makes them hang it there to temp' me? Why? Just because they think they can make a few miserable pounds, they'll keep it there makin' me a liar, a pledge breaker, a man who can't keep his promise. I'll end it now.

I'll smash it.

[He makes to take the fiddle out of her hands.]

JANE.

[Resisting.]

No. No. I want to say--I want to ask something Robbie. What does it say to you?

ROBBIE JOHN.

What does it--Ach--I wonder would you laugh at me like the rest if I told you.

JANE.

[Sitting closer and putting her arm about his neck.]

What does it say. Tell me. _I_ would never laugh at you Robbie dear.

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Hesitatingly.]

Ach--about--about takin' it and makin' a name for myself with it.

[Bitterly.]

It sounds like fool talk doesn't it.

JANE.

To my father and yours it would sound like that and Samuel James would laugh at you, but he'd encourage you to believe in it.

ROBBIE JOHN.

Let me break it then. Smash it.

JANE.

[Determinedly.]

No. Look Robbie if I said it was whispering you the truth, what would you say?

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Surprised.]

I would say that it was true. But you never would.

JANE.

[Determinedly.]

I say it is the truth.

ROBBIE JOHN.

You what? Ach you don't know what you say child. If I did take to it again, look what would happen. My father would turn me out, and your father would forbid me then ever lookin' at you again. Jane Graeme engaged to a penniless fiddler, and she the best match in the whole countryside. I need never think of you again Jane.

JANE.

I don't care what they bid. If you took to that fiddle and went away, would you forget me soon?

ROBBIE JOHN.

Forget you, Jane? What makes you think that? Sure you know I gave it up sooner than lose you.

JANE.

Then take that fiddle and do what your heart tells you to. I wondered often and often what it was that made you so sad, and I know now. G.o.d made you a musician and not a farmer.

ROBBIE JOHN.

And you? What would you do?

JANE.

I know and trust some day G.o.d willing, you'll come back to me, rich and famous enough to have them all at your feet. I know you will.