The Turn of the Road Part 5

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

G.o.d bless me, d'you say so mister? D'ye hear that Robbie John.

There's a fiddler for you and see what comes of it.

TRAMP.

Perhaps with your permission I may venture to play you a few extracts from my repertoire. I can play to suit all tastes from a simple country ballad to a concerto by Brahms or the great Russian composer Tschaikouski.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Openmouthed.]

Them Roos.h.i.+ans has the tarr'ble names!

TRAMP.

Firstly I shall play that touching little ballad I heard Monsieur here warble so sweetly as we rolled homeward on his chariot. If I play he accompanies me with voice. Ne'st ce pas, Monsieur?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Nervously.]

Is your mother out Ellen?

ELLEN.

She's lookin' after the hens I think. She won't hear you.

[William John Granahan starts singing two verses of a folk song, the tramp accompanying meanwhile with fiddle, always putting in an extra flourish.

The rest all join, even the grandfather beats time with a stick. The door opens and Mrs. Granahan appears seemingly astonished at the uproar. All suddenly cease singing and try to appear innocent, except the tramp, who goes on playing. He suddenly notices the cessation.]

TRAMP.

Bravo. A most exquisite little air and beautifully rendered.

[He stops short on seeing Mrs. Granahan who stands glaring at him arms akimbo.]

Your pardon madam. You are the mistress I take it of this most n.o.ble and hospitable house.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

[Ignoring him and going to centre of floor where she looks angrily at William John Granahan who endeavours to appear unconcerned.]

You should be well ashamed of yourself William John Granahan. What will they say about you in the Session I wonner next Sabbath day.

D'you think my house is a home for all the dirt and sc.u.m of the country side?

TRAMP.

Your pardon madam. You owe me an apology. Appearances belie me but sc.u.m I am not. I was at one time the well known and justly famous leader of the Blue Bohemian Wind and String--

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Wind and string fiddlesticks. Out you go. Out you will go. I want no tramps in here upsettin' my house and makin' it the talk of the neighbours. Out you go at once.

TRAMP.

[With drunken pride.]

I thrust my company on no man or woman uninvited.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Out you go. I want no excuses. Put him out of this Samuel James.

[Samuel James eludes his mother's eye and beckons the tramp to stay on.]

The drunken wretch comin' in here. A nice place you'd have it William Granahan with your fine company.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I brought him home here as a tarr'ble and awful warnin' to Robbie John what this sort of an occupation brings a man till. Yon see him Robbie John. There's you're great fiddlin' for you. Be warned in time.

ROBBIE JOHN.

[The tramp moves to the door. Robbie John rises and goes across to him and taps him on the shoulder.]

Here.

[Slips him money.]

G.o.d bless you poor wanderin' soul and G.o.d forbid any Granahan should ever be treated as you have been.

TRAMP.

Sir, I thank you.