The Turn of the Road Part 7

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

I ha'e it all but two s.h.i.+llin' and wan penny.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

And can you account for them?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

 

Woman dear would you ha'e me go and come to market wi'out a ha'penny in my pocket? Have some gumption about ye.

[In a loud angry voice.]

I'm danged but the next time I make a good bargain, I'll go and ha'e a week to myself in Newcastle or Belfast. I'm young enow yet.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

There. Stop your fool talk in front of the children and go and change your clothes.

GRANDFATHER.

It was a good price indeed.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Slily.]

Yes. He soul' it for thirty poun' and William John McKillop lookin'

all roads to give him forty for it.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Angrily and stamping his foot.]

Will you houl' your tongue you blatterin' blatherin' idiot. Bad scran to ye for a meddle--

[He goes forward to go into room and aims a box on the ears at Samuel James who retreats to table and watches him go through door followed by Mrs. Granahan.

A noise of voices in angry argument is heard.]

SAMUEL JAMES.

Now he'll catch it. If I had been Da I would ha'e kept back five poun'

and toul' her I soul' it for twenty-five, but the ould man's that honest, he knows no better.

[Robbie John enters. He goes to seat himself in his old position but stops a moment when spoken to, and then in a petulant manner takes his seat on hearing the speech.]

Well Robbie and what d'ye think of his great object lesson till ye.

It was me put it intil Da's head. I thought there might be a bit o'

value.

[Chuckles.]

ELLEN.

There. I just thought it was you did it.

[She comes and sits down again beside table at left. Samuel James seats himself on table carelessly and swings his legs under.]

You're a schemer that's what you are.

GRANDFATHER.

Aye. There's a dale of the crook in ye Samuel James. You're deeper nor one would think.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Suddenly to Robbie John.]

I seen Jenny Graeme at the market to-day Robbie.

[Robbie John does not answer, being evidently shy.]

Oh well, maybe you're no interested in her.

[To Ellen.]

Man there was a fine lock o' cattle at the fair, Ellen.

ELLEN.

I'm sure there was. Who else did you see?

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Unwillingly but unable to restrain his jealousy.]