Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry Part 33

CRILLY No. But they could make him pay back the fifty pounds in instalments.

MRS. CRILLY Fifty pounds! We can't afford to lose fifty pounds.

ANNA Who would find out about the coal, father?

CRILLY The Guardians who take stock.

ANNA And how would they know at this time whether there was a hundred or a hundred and fifty tons there at first?

CRILLY The business men amongst them would know. However, there won't be an inspection for some time.

ANNA Suppose grandfather had got his pension and had left the Workhouse, who would know about the coal?

CRILLY The new Workhouse Master.

MRS. CRILLY The new Workhouse Master--

CRILLY Marianne--

MRS. CRILLY Well?

CRILLY I think I'll stay here and advise the old man.

MRS. CRILLY No. Go away.

CRILLY _(at door of apartments)_ After all, I'm one of the Guardians, and something might be done.

MRS. CRILLY You can do nothing. We can do nothing for him. Let him go to the strangers.

_Crilly goes out_.

MRS. CRILLY Anna!

ANNA Yes, mother.

MRS. CRILLY The Martins are not giving up their house for a year or two?

ANNA No, mother.

MRS. CRILLY If he resigns now his pension will be safe. There is nothing else against him.

ANNA But some one will find out the difference in the coal.

MRS. CRILLY It's the new Workhouse Master who will know that.

ANNA _(hardening)_ But _he_ could not pa.s.s such a thing, mother.

MRS. CRILLY _(abandoning a position)_ Well, after your grandfather gets his pension we could make some arrangement with the Guardians.

ANNA Yes, mother. Hasn't grandfather a hundred pounds invested in the shop?

MRS. CRILLY It's not a hundred pounds. Besides, it's not an investment.

ANNA _(with a certain resolution in her rich voice)_ Mother. Is my money safe?

MRS. CRILLY We could give you the eighty pounds, Anna, but after that we would need all the help we could get from you.

ANNA Yes, mother.

MRS. CRILLY _(again taking up a position)_ But if we help James Scollard to the place.

ANNA _(with determination)_ Whether Mr. Scollard gets the place or does not get the place, I'll want my fortune, mother.

MRS. CRILLY Very well, Anna. If we could get him to come over. ... _(She sits in arm chair)_ There's a lamb in Ginnell's field; you might call in to-morrow and ask them to prepare it for us.

ANNA Then grandfather is coming to dinner on Sunday?

MRS. CRILLY We must get him to come.

_Some one is coming up the pa.s.sage. Anna's hand is on handle of door.

She holds it open. Thomas Muskerry stands there_.

MUSKERRY _(pleased to see her)_ Well, Nancy!

ANNA Good night, grandpapa. _(He regards her with fondness)_

MRS. CRILLY Good night, father.

MUSKERRY This Nancy girl is looking remarkably well. _(He turns to Mrs. Crilly)_ Well, ma'am, and how are you? I've written that letter for that rascally Albert.

_He leaves his stick on table and goes to desk. Mrs. Crilly watches him. Anna comes to her. Muskerry addresses an envelope with some labour. Mrs. Crilly notices a tress of Anna's hair falling down. Anna kneels down beside her. She takes off Anna's cap, settles up the hair, and puts the cap on again. Having addressed the envelope, Muskerry holds up a piece of wax to the gas. He seals the letter then holds it out_.

MUSKERRY Here's the letter now, and maybe it's the last thing I can do for any of ye.

MRS. CRILLY You are very good.

_Muskerry goes to them_.

MUSKERRY In season and out of season I've put myself at your service.

I can do no more for ye.

_She takes the letter from him. His resentment is breaking down. He sits on chair beside armchair. He speaks in a reconciling tone_.

MUSKERRY You're looking well, Marianne,

MRS. CRILLY I'm beginning to be well again.

MUSKERRY And the infant? What age is he now?