The Turn of the Road Part 4

GRANDFATHER.

[Incredulously.]

Who did you say? McKillop?

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Laughing.]

 

Aye.

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Smiling.]

Sure McKillop hasn't two sov'rins in the wide world. He was only takin' a rise out of Da.

SAMUEL JAMES.

Sure I knowed the ould Yahoo hadn't the price of a nanny-goat. But of course, Da tuk it all in for gospel. And me sittin' listenin to him tellin' ould McKillop what a grand action the foal had and the shoulders the baste had, and the way it could draw thirty hundred up Killainey hill without a pech.

GRANDFATHER.

[Astonished.]

William John Granahan makes a tarr'ble fine Sunday School teacher.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Grinning.]

But to see ould McKillop sittin' there as solemn as a judge, drinkin'

it all in as if gospel and winkin' at me on the sly, the ould rascal, and cursin' his luck at losin' such a bargain.

[The voice of William John Granahan can be heard inviting some one to come on. The strains of a fiddle played by uncertain but unmistakeably professional hands, sounds from the same direction.]

ELLEN.

[Looking out through window into yard.]

Who's that father has got with him Samuel James? Oh such a dirty looking man!

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Chuckling.]

Da got ahoult of him at Buckna cross roads and right or wrong he'd have him home wi' him to show Robbie John what fiddlin' brings a man till.

ELLEN.

[Severely.]

Its my mind that you and father have been stayin' too long in the public house, Samuel James.

[William John Granahan and tramp fiddler can be seen outside window.]

Look at them--comin' in! oh my; wait till mother sees the pair of them.

[William John Granahan comes in leading a ragged looking bearded tramp with an old fiddle tucked under his arm.]

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Now we're hame, and we'll get a drop to drink and a bite to eat, Mr.

Fiddler.

[He goes over to fireplace and stands with his back to the fire.]

Take a sate at the fire and warm yourself.

[No one offers a seat to the tramp who stands puzzled looking and swaying in a drunken manner in the kitchen, slightly in front of Samuel James, who remains seated beside dresser engaged in taking off his leggings.]

Ellen. Get us a drop o' tay and give this poor misguided cratur somethin' to eat.

ELLEN.

[Moves over to dresser and then stands at door into room. She evidently disapproves of the tramp and does not offer to obey.

The grandfather rises in disgust and moves his chair nearer the fireplace away from the tramp.]

TRAMP.

[To Ellen.]

Your pardon n.o.ble lady, I intrude. Your pardon signor I incommode you.

Times change and so do men. Ladies and gentlemen behold in me the one time famous leader of the Blue Bohemian Wind and String Band that had the honour of appearing before all the crowned heads of Europe.