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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Drone</p> +<p> A Play in Three Acts</p> +<p>Author: Rutherford Mayne</p> +<p>Release Date: December 23, 2006 [eBook #20176]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DRONE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/c/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>THE DRONE</h1> + +<h2>A Play in Three Acts</h2> +<h3>By Rutherford Mayne<br /><br /><br /><br /></h3> + +<h4>LUCE & CO.<br /> +BOSTON<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></h4> + + + + + +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1912. Samuel Waddell.</i></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<p class="center">TO<br /> +<big>SEVEEN</big></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + +<h2>CHARACTERS</h2> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">John Murray</span>, <i>A farmer.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Daniel Murray</span>, <i>His brother.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mary Murray</span>, <i>John's daughter.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Andrew McMinn</span>, <i>A farmer.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Sarah McMinn</span>, <i>His sister.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Donal Mackenzie</span>, <i>A Scotch engineer.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Sam Brown</span>, <i>A labourer in John Murray's employment.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Kate</span>, <i>A servant girl in John Murray's employment.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Alick McCready</span>, <i>A young farmer.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>The action takes place throughout in the kitchen +of John Murray in the County of Down.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Time</span> ... <i>The present day.</i> +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h1>The Drone</h1> + +<h3><i>A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS</i></h3> + +<h2>ACT I.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>The farm kitchen of John Murray. It is large +and spacious, with a wide open fire-place to the right. At +the back is one door leading to the parlour and other rooms +in the house, also a large window overlooking the yard outside. +To the left of this window is the door leading into +the yard, and near the door an old-fashioned grandfather's +clock. Opposite to the fire-place on the left side is another +door leading into Daniel Murray's workshop, and beside +this door is a large dresser with crockery, &c. At the +back beneath the window is a table near which</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span>, <i>the +servant, a slatternly dressed girl of some thirty years of +age or more, is seated. She is carefully examining some +cakes of soda bread, and has a bucket beside her into which +she throws the rejected pieces.</i></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. That one's stale. It would break your teeth +to eat it. (<i>She throws the cake into the bucket.</i>) And the +mice have nibbled that one. And there's another as +bad. (<i>She throws both pieces into the bucket.</i>)</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Brown</span>, <i>the servant man, opens the door from yard and +enters. He is elderly, and with a pessimistic expression +of face, relieved somewhat by the sly humour that is +in his eyes. He walks slowly to the centre of the +kitchen, looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span>, <i>and then turns his eyes, with +a disgusted shake of the head, towards the dresser as if +searching for something.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Well! Well! Pigs get fat and men get +lean in this house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. It's you again, is it? And what are you looking +now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. I'm looking a spanner for the boss. The +feedboard to the threshing machine got jammed just +when halfway through the first stack, and he is in a +lamentable temper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). Is he? (<i>She starts hurriedly to clear +up the table.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>watching her slyly to see what effect his words +have</i>). And he's been grumbling all morning about the +way things is going on in this house. Bread and things +wasted and destroyed altogether.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Well, it's all Miss Mary's fault. I told her +about this bread yesterday forenoon, and she never +took any heed to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Miss Mary? (<i>With a deprecatory shake of +his head.</i>) What does a slip of a girl like that know +about housekeeping and her not home a half-year yet +from the boarding-school in the big town, and with no +mother nor nobody to train her. (<i>He stares in a puzzled +way at the dresser.</i>) I don't see that spanner at all. Did +you see it, Kate?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. No. I've more to do than look for spanners.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>gazing reproachfully at her and then shaking +his head</i>). It's a nice house, right enough. (<i>Lowering his +voice.</i>) And I suppose old Mr. Dan is never up yet. +I was told by Johnny McAndless, he was terribly full +last night at McArn's publichouse and talking—ach—the +greatest blethers about this new invention of his.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Do you say so?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Aye. No wonder he's taking a lie this morning. +(<i>He peeps into the door of the workshop.</i>) He's not +in his wee workshop?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. No. Miss Mary is just after taking up his +breakfast to him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Some people get living easy in this world. +(<i>He gives a last look at the dresser.</i>) Well divil a spanner +can I see. I'll tell the master that. (<i>He goes out again +through the yard door, and as he does so,</i> <span class="smcap">Mary Murray</span> +<i>comes through the door from the inner rooms, carrying a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +tray with teacups, &c., on it. She is a pretty, vivacious +girl about eighteen years of age.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Who was that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. It's the servant man looking for a spanner for +your father, Miss Mary. There's something gone wrong +with the threshing machine.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>taking the tray to the table and starting to get +ready to wash up the cups</i>). I do believe sometimes that +Uncle Dan's a lazy man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>assisting her at the washing and stopping as if +astonished at the statement</i>). And is it only now you're +after finding that out! Sure the whole countryside +knowed it this years and years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>sharply</i>). The whole countryside has no business +to talk about what doesn't concern it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Oh, well, people are bound to talk, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. But then Uncle Dan is awfully clever. He's +got the whole brains of the Murrays, so father says, +and then, besides that, he is a grand talker.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Aye. He can talk plenty. Sure Sarah McMinn, +that lives up the Cut, says its a shame the way he's going +on this twenty years and more, never doing a hand's +turn from morning to night, and she says she wonders +your poor father stands him and his nonsense.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Who said that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Sarah McMinn told Johnny McAndless that +yesterday.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Sarah McMinn? Pooh! That hard, mean, +old thing. No. I believe in Uncle Dan and so does +father. He'll make a name for himself yet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Well, it's getting near time he done it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. And that Sarah McMinn they say just keeps her +brother in starvation, and she just says nasty things like +that about Uncle Dan because he doesn't like her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Aye. He never did like people as seen through +him, not but she is a mean old skin-a-louse. (<i>The voice +of</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel Murray</span> <i>is heard calling from within.</i>) He's +up, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Are you up, uncle?</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Dan Murray</span> <i>opens the door from the inner apartments +and comes into the kitchen. He is carelessly dressed +and sleepy-looking as if just out of bed, wears a muffler +and glasses, and appears to be some fifty years of age.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Yes. Did the <i>Whig</i> come yet?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Yes. I put it in your workshop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>glancing at the clock</i>). Bless my heart, it's +half-past one!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>reproachfully</i>). It is, indeed, uncle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well! Well! Time goes round, Mary. Time +goes round. (<i>Kate picks up the bucket and goes out by +the yard door.</i>) Where's your father? (<i>He crosses over +to the workshop door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. He's out working with Sam Brown at the +threshing all morning since seven o'clock.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well! Well! A very industrious man is +John Murray. Very. But lacking in brains, my dear—lacking +in brains. Kind, good-hearted, easy-going, but—ah! +well, one can't help these things. (<i>He goes towards +the workshop.</i>) Where did you say the <i>Whig</i> was, Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. It's in your workshop. (<i>He crosses over to go +there.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. You were very late coming in last night, uncle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Eh? (<i>He goes in, gets the paper, comes out +again.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. I heard you coming in, and the clock was just +after striking two. (<i>He sits down and opens paper.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well—I met a few friends last night. Appreciative +friends I could talk to, and I was explaining that +new idea of mine that I've been working at so long—that +new idea for a fan-bellows. It's a great thing. Oh yes. +It should be. I sat up quite a while last night, thinking +it over, and I believe I've got more ideas about it—better +ones.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Do you think you'll make money off it, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Mary—if it comes off—if I can get someone +to take it up, I believe 'twill make our fortune, I do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh, uncle, it would be lovely if you did, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +I would just die to see that nasty McMinn woman's +face when she hears about you making such a hit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. McMinn? Has that woman been sneering +about me again? That's one woman, Mary, I can't +stand. I can never do myself justice explaining ideas +in company when that woman is present.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Never mind her, uncle. (<i>Coming close beside +him.</i>) Do you mind the time last time, uncle, when you +went up to Belfast for a week to see about that patent +for—what's this the patent was, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uncomfortably</i>). Last time? Aye? Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Yes. Don't you remember you said you +knew of an awfully nice boy that you met, and you were +going to bring him down here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Upon my soul, I had clean forgotten. Yes, yes. +I think I did say something about a young fellow I met.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Was he nice, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>becoming absorbed in the newspaper</i>). Eh? +I think so. Oh. He was—very nice chap.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well, you said he was coming here to see me, +and he never turned up yet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Did I? Very possibly. I suppose he must +have forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>walking away to the left and then back again +pouting</i>). I'm sick of the boys here. There's only Alick +McCready that's anyway passable. When will you see +him again, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well—possibly, when I go up to town again. +Very soon, perhaps. That is if your father, Mary, can +spare the money.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>thoughtfully</i>). I don't know, uncle. You see +that would be five times now, and somehow you never +seem to get anything done. That's what he said, mind +you, uncle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>mournfully</i>). Well! Well! To think of me +toiling and moiling away in that workshop of mine, day +after day, and week after week, and year after year—and +there's all the thanks you get for it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>somewhat irritably as he gets engrossed +reading</i>). Well?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Look, if you went up to Belfast again soon, +won't you see that boy? I wonder what he's like. (<i>She +gets close beside her uncle and nestles beside him.</i>) Is he +dark or fair?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Yes, yes. I think so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Dark?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Yes. I believe he is dark.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. And tall?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>trying vainly to read in spite of the interruptions</i>). +Very tall.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh, how nice! And uncle, is he good-looking?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Very. Fine looking fellow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. That's grand; and uncle, is he well to do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. He has every appearance of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh you dear old uncle! (<i>She nestles closer +to him.</i>) But maybe he wouldn't look at me when he +has a whole lot of town girls to go with.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. My dear niece, you don't know what a very +good-looking young lady you are, and besides he saw +your photograph.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Which photograph?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>perplexed</i>). Which photograph? Your own +of course!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. The one I got taken at Lurgan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Yes. I think so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh uncle! That horrid thing! Why didn't +you show him the one I got taken at Newcastle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. My mistake. Very sorry, indeed, Mary, I +assure you. But I tell you what, I'll take the album with +me next time. Will that do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>laughing</i>). There. Now you're only joking. +(<i>Suddenly.</i>) What do you do all the time you stay in +Belfast, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). Um—um——Business, my dear +girl, business. See engineers and all that sort of thing,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +and talk things over. It takes time, you know, Mary, +time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. You've been an awful long time inventing, +uncle, haven't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well, you know, Mary dear—time—it takes +time. You can't rush an inventor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well look, uncle. You know I can just wheedle +father round my wee finger, can't I?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. You can indeed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well, look: if you promise to bring down this +boy you are talking about, I'll get father to give you +enough to have two weeks in Belfast. There. It's a +bargain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Um—well—he may not be there you know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>disappointed</i>). O uncle!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. You see he travels a lot and he may be away. +He may be in London. In fact I think—yes. He said +he would be going to London.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Then why not go to London?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>starting up and speaking as if struck with +delight at the possibility</i>). Eh? I never thought of that! +(<i>He collapses again.</i>) But no. Your father, Mary. +He would never give me the money. No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. But you're more likely to meet people there +who'd take it up, aren't you, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. It's <i>the place</i> for an inventor to go, Mary. +<i>The place.</i> (<i>Pauses.</i>) But I'm afraid when John hears +about it——(<i>he becomes very dubious and shakes his head</i>).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well, look here, uncle. Do you mind the last +time when he would not give you money to go up to +Belfast about your patent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>sadly</i>). I do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. You remember you got a letter a few days after +asking you to come up at once and you had to go then. +Hadn't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. I had.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well, couldn't we do the same this time?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking at her uneasily</i>). Eh?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Couldn't we get someone to send a letter. +(<i>Pausing and thinking, then suddenly</i>). Oh, the very +thing! You know that silly Alick McCready that comes +running after me. Well, look, I'll get him to send a letter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. No good, my dear. I did it before——I mean +letters on plain notepaper don't carry much weight. +No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. What about——oh, I know! Uncle, a telegram!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Great idea! It is in soul!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. And we'll put something on it like "come to +London at once to see about the patent," or something +like that. And he'd have to let you go then.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Mary, you're really a cleverer girl than +your father thinks. (<i>Musingly.</i>) Two weeks in London.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. And don't forget the nice boy, uncle, when +you go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. I'll do my best to get hold of him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. No. I want a good definite promise. Promise, +uncle.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well, really you know, my dear, he——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Uncle, promise.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Um——well, I promise.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. You're a dear old thing. You see, uncle, I +don't want to marry Alick McCready or Jim McDowell +or any of those boys, unless there's nobody else.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Quite right, my dear, quite right. Two weeks +in London. Splendid! But it's time I was going into my +workshop. (<i>He rises and takes the paper with him.</i>) I +must really try and do something this morning. (<i>Exit +by workshop door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>calling after him</i>). You won't forget, uncle? +Will you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. No, certainly not.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. I do hope uncle brings that nice boy. Dark—tall—well +set up—well to do.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>comes in again through the yard door, and looks at</i> +<span class="smcap">Mary</span>, <i>who is gazing vacantly into space.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Well? What notion have you got now?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh! just think, Kate! How would you like +a boy who was dark and tall, and well set up and well +to do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. I'd just leap at him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>laughing</i>). Agh! I don't think he'll ever come, +Kate!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. I think you've plenty on hand to manage. +(<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>opens the yard door and resumes his old-position +from which he stares at the dresser</i>). You're back again, +are you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. What ails you now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. I'm looking the spanner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. The spanner?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. The spanner, Miss Mary. It's for turning the +nuts like.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Have you never got it yet?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Do you think I've got eyes in the back of my +head? Underneath the seat, beside the salt-box, on +the right near the wee crock in the left hand corner. +(<i>He makes a movement to open one of the drawers of the +dresser.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Will you get out of that, ignorance. It's not +there.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>with an appealing look at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). Maybe its +in the parlour?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Well, I'll take a look round. (<i>She goes through +the door to living rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>mysteriously</i>). Did you hear the news?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. No. (<i>Very much interested</i>.) What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Ach! You women never know anything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. What's the news? Somebody killed?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. No. More serious.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>alarmed</i>). God bless me! What is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Andy McMinn has a sister.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>disappointed</i>). Ach!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. And she's trying to get a man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Well. I knowed that this years.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. And Mr. John Murray is a widow man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. You mean to be telling me that Mr. John +has a notion of that old thing? Go long with you!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Did you ever hear tell of a widow man that +never got married again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Plenty. Don't come in here talking blethers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Whist. There's more in what I'm telling you +than you think. And I'll hold you to a shilling that +Sarah McMinn will be Mrs. John Murray before one +month.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Who told you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Ach. You've no more head than a yellow +yorling. Where has Mr. John been going to these wheen +of nights?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>thinking</i>). Andy McMinns!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Aye. Do you think it is to see old Andy? +And sure he's been talking to me all morning about the +way the house is being kept. No hand to save the waste; +bread and things destroyed; hens laying away; eggs +ate up by the dozen and chickens lost and one thing and +another. And hinting about what money a good saving +woman would bring him. And Mr. Daniel——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span>. Sh——he's in there working.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Working? Ah, God save us! Him working! +The last man that seen Mr. Dan working is in his grave +this twenty years. (<i>He goes over next workshop door.</i>) +I'll just peep in at him through the keyhole. (<i>He goes +over and does so, and then beckons</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>over. She peeps +in and grins. As they are thus occupied</i> <span class="smcap">Alick McCready</span> +<i>opens the door and stands gazing at them. He is a type +of the young well-to-do farmer, respectably dressed and +good-looking.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Well! Well! Some people earn their money +easy!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. Aye. In soul. Just look in there to see it. +(<span class="smcap">McCready</span> <i>looks in and bursts into a loud hearty laugh.</i> +<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>hurriedly goes out by the yard door and</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>by door to inner rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>opening door and standing there, perplexed +looking</i>). What's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Ah. I was just laughing at a wee joke, Mr. +Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. It must have been very funny.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Aye. It was. (<i>Coming close to</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>, <i>who +walks slowly to the middle of the kitchen.</i>) I say. Were +you at McArn's publichouse last night?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking round cautiously to see that no one else +can hear him</i>). Well, just a minute or two. Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. There was someone there told Andy McMinn +this morning, I believe, that you'd been talking of a +great invention altogether, and he was that much curious +to see it that him and his sister Sarah are coming over +this day to have a look at it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Who? Sarah McMinn?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Aye. She's very anxious to see it, I believe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Um. Rather awkward this. She's not a +woman that, plainly speaking, I care very much to talk +about my ideas to.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. But have you got something struck out?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. McCready, come here. (<span class="smcap">Alick</span> <i>goes closer +to him.</i>) It is really a great idea. Splendid. But I've +a great deal of trouble over it. In fact I've been thinking +out details of a particular gear all morning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Aye. (<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>and then endeavours +to restrain unsuccessfully a burst of laughter.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>angrily</i>). You were always an ignorant hound +anyway and be d——d to you. (<i>He turns to go towards +his workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Ah, Mr. Murray, I beg your pardon. It's +another thing altogether I'm thinking about. I just +wanted a talk with you this morning. You have a nice +wee girl for a niece, Mr. Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>somewhat mollified</i>). Well?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>bashfully</i>). And I was wondering if you could +put in a good word for me now and again with her.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Now, look here, Alick. We can all work +nice and comfortably together, can't we?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Well, if you behave yourself like a man with +some manners, and not like an ignorant clodhopper, I +can do a great deal for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Thank you, sir. You know, Mr. Murray, I have +as nice a wee farm, and as good stock on it as well, as any +man in the county, and if I'm lucky enough to get that +niece of yours, you'll always be welcome to come and pass +a day or two and have a chat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. I think you and I will get along all right, +Alick. There's one or two little things I need badly +sometimes in this house. I mean I want help often, +you know, Alick, to carry my points with John; points +about going to see people and that sort of thing, and +it's really very hard to manage John on points like that, +unless we resort to certain means to convince him they are +absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). Yes. I sort of follow you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. You know what I mean. John's a little dense, +you know. He can't see the point of an argument very +well unless you sort of knock him down with it. Now, +if a thing is fair and reasonable, and a man is so dense +that he can't see it, you are quite justified—at least, +I take it so—to manufacture a way—it doesn't matter +how—so long as you make that dense man accept the +thing, whatever it is, as right. Do you follow me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. I'm just beginning to see a kind of way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>appearing at door from inner rooms</i>). I can't +see that thing anywhere. (<i>She suddenly sees</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span>.) +Oh Alick! You here!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. Yes. It's a nice morning, and you're looking +beautiful!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Oh, bother. (<i>She seems to suddenly recollect +something.</i>) Oh, I say! uncle! You remember? +Uncle!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>somewhat perplexed</i>). Eh?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>motioning towards</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span>). Telegram to come +to London.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Ah——Oh, yes, yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span>. Let's go into your workshop and tell Alick +what we want. Come on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span>. I'll do anything in the world you want.</p> + +<p>(<i>They all go into the workshop. As they disappear,</i> <span class="smcap">John +Murray</span>, <i>sweating and angry looking, comes through +from the yard followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Brown</span>. <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>is a tall, +stout man, with a rather dour countenance and somewhat +stolid expression. He is a year or so the elder +of Dan in age. He goes to the dresser, puts his +hand on the top shelf, takes down a spanner and throws +it down angrily on the table.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span>. There. There you are, you stupid-looking, +good for nothing, dunder-headed, Italian idiot you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span>. You're something terrible cross this morning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span>. (<i>heatedly</i>). Is it any wonder? Away out at once +now and put her to rights and quick about it. (<span class="smcap">Brown</span> +<i>meekly goes out.</i>) The like of servant men nowadays, +I never seen in my mortal days. A concern of ignorant +bauchles, every one of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>opening door of workshop and peeping out. He +sees</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>and goes over to him with a genial air</i>). Good +morning John.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>snappishly</i>). Morning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. John, what do you think, I believe I have +just come on to a great idea about——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span>. Ach! You and your great ideas! Here you've +been blundering and blethering and talking these fifteen +years and more, and I've never seen anything come of them +yet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>soothingly</i>). I know, John, I know. But I'm +handicapped you know. Bad place to work in and all +the rest of it: but you've been kind to me, John. Keeping +a brother and helping him after he has lost all his +money isn't a common thing with many men, but John<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +a day will come sometime, and you'll get it all back. +(<i>Impressively</i>). Every penny. Aye, and twice over.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>softening</i>). Thank you, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. You will, John, you will. But don't cast up +things like that about the time I've been. It hurts me. +A thing like this takes time to mature, you know, John. +The great and chief thing for an inventor is time. Look +at Palissy, the great French potter, who found out how +to make porcelain glaze. Why he worked for years and +years at his invention. And there was the man who +found out how to make steam drive engines. Look at +the years those men spent—and no one begrudged them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span>. I suppose that now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Certainly, John, nothing surer. And look +at the fortunes those men made. But the great difficulty +is trying to get someone to take up your patent. You +see these men had the eyes of the world fixed on them. +People knew all about them, and had their hands stretched +out ready to grab what they invented. (<i>Pathetically</i>). +I——I'm just a poor unknown man struggling in a wee +dark corner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>touched</i>). Never mind, Danny. You'll make the +name of the Murray's known yet, maybe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. I'll do my best, John. But mind you it would +take me to be pushing on this thing that I have found +out and bringing it before people to notice. You see +I've got it all ready now except for a few small details.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>much interested</i>). Have you now? I would like +you sometime to explain it to me, Daniel. I didn't +quite get on to it the last time you were telling me about +it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. Some time again. Oh yes. But John—I'll +have to go to some of the towns soon to see people +about it. The bigger the town the better the chance, +and John (<i>impressively</i>)—London's the place.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>aghast</i>). London! In all the name of the +world, yon place! Would Belfast not do you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. No. I don't like Belfast. They're a mangy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +stick-in-the-mud, follow-in-the-old-ruts crowd. Never +strike out anything new. It's a case of London or nothing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>dubiously</i>). It will be a terrible expense this +London visiting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It'll be worth it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Now, Danny, I would like to oblige you, but +what do you think it would cost me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, I could live cheap you know, John, +and do without meals an odd day, and go steerage and +third class, and that sort of thing. I would say about +fifteen pounds roughly. That would let me stay more +than a week.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Fifteen pounds! God bless me, Daniel, would +you break me? No, no, I couldn't afford to give you +that much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Maybe ten would do it. I could sleep out +under the arches an odd night or two, and——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> No, no. I'll not have that. A Murray aye +had a bed to go to and a sup to eat. (<i>After a contemplative +pause.</i>) Here, I'll give you three pounds and +you can go to Belfast.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I don't care much about Belfast. You know +I have been there five times now, and I have never got +anyone to look into the thing at all proper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You're too backward, Daniel, when it comes to +the like of that. But ten pounds! No, I would like +you to get on in the world right enough, Daniel, but I +couldn't afford it. You know the way this house is being +kept; it's lamentable. Tea and sugar and flour and things. +Man, I'm just after paying off ten pounds to the McAfees +for one thing and another, and it only a running account +for two months. If I had a good housekeeper now, +maybe things would alter for the better.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>coming out from the workshop followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span>). +O Uncle Dan! He says he'll go at once and get it——(<i>She +stops short in confusion on seeing her father.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> How are you, Mr. Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> O! bravely. What's the news with you?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I was just looking over some of them ideas of +Daniel's, about the new fan bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Now what do you think of it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>warned by</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>who nudges him</i>). They're +great altogether.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Do you think there will be any sale for it at all?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I think so. (<i>He perceives</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>motioning +assent.</i>) I believe there would be indeed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Man, I wish I had the head of some of you +young fellows to understand the working of them +machinery and things. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>goes back into the +workshop.</i>) I've the worst head in the world for understanding +about them sort of things. There's Daniel, +a great head on him, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>slyly</i>). He has, right enough!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>proudly</i>). One of the best. When he was a +wee fellow, dang the one could beat him at making +boats or drawing pictures, or explaining extraordinary +things to you. None. Not one. A great head on him, +Daniel. He'll do something yet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Did you know Andy McMinn's for coming +over to see you this day, Mr. Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>eagerly</i>). This day? When? Are you sure?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Aye, so he said. About two o'clock or so. +Someone told him about Daniel's great new idea, and he's +very curious to hear about it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> He's always poking his nose into people's +business.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Whist. Andy McMinn's a very decent man. +Tell me (<i>rather bashfully</i>), was Sarah to come with him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>alarmed</i>). O holy prophets! I hope not.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Aye. She's coming too. She wanted to see +it as well as Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Certainly, and she's welcome too. Mary, +you can get the house ready, and the table set, and a +nice tea for them when they come, and I can go and get +tidied up a wee bit. (<i>He goes off through door into inner +rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>leaning against the table and looking across at</i> +<span class="smcap">Mary</span>, <i>who is sitting at the opposite end.</i>) You're as nice +a wee girl as ever I——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> You're an awful fool. Hurry, Alick, like a +decent man and get that telegram sent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> That uncle of yours, Mary, heth he's as canny +a keoghboy as I've seen. Its the queer tears he'll be +taking to himself in London if I know anything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Hold your tongue. You've no business to +talk about Uncle Dan that way. He could give you tons +as far as brains go anyway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I believe that. (<i>He goes to yard door, then +turns back.</i>) I say, Mary. What name will I put on that +telegram? "Come to London at once about patent. +Intend purchasing." Hadn't we better have a name?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes. I'll just ask uncle. (<i>She knocks at door +of workshop.</i>) Uncle!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>without</i>). Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What name will we put to that telegram?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>without</i>). Oh, it's not particular. Wilson +or Smith, or Brown, or Gregg.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I'll put Gregg on it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Do well.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Did you see the fluster that your father got +into, Mary, when he heard that Sarah McMinn was +coming over?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>alarmed</i>). What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span>. Did you not see how he rushed off to tidy +himself up when he heard Sarah McMinn was coming +over?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>seating herself on chair to right of table</i>). Nonsense. +Father wouldn't think of that woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> All right. But I think I know something +more than you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>anxiously</i>). What? Tell me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Come on and leave me down the loaning a +pace, and I'll tell you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>glancing at him, and then coquettishly turning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +her back to him as he leans against the table</i>). Oh, I can't. +Those people are coming over, and that McMinn woman +will be looking at everything and telling you how to do +things in front of father, and all the rest of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick</span> (<i>entreatingly</i>). Leave me down the loaning a +pace till I tell you the news.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>teasingly</i>). No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Come on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No. (<span class="smcap">Alick</span> <i>moves sadly towards the door.</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> +<i>looks round, and then laughingly skips past him out through +the yard door, and he follows her.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>coming through door from inner rooms partly +dressed, with a towel in his hands, evidently making much +preparation to clean himself</i>). Daniel! (<i>Loudly and +crossly.</i>) Daniel!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>peeping out from workshop door</i>). Well!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Tidy yourself up a wee bit, man, Andy McMinn +and Sarah's coming over to see you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>somewhat taken back</i>). Me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. They want to see about the new invention. +You can have the collar I wore last Sunday, +and put on your new coat that you got in Belfast. +(<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>goes back into the workshop.</i>) I wonder what +tie would be the better one? Yon green or the red one +that Mary gave me last Christmas. Aye. (<i>Seeing no +sign of</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>.) D——n! Is he making no shapes +to dress himself. Daniel!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>without</i>). Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>loudly</i>). Daniel!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>again appearing at door</i>). Well!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>impatiently</i>). Come on and get on you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Ach. This is always the way. Just when +a man has got the whole thing worked out and the plans +of the apparatus just on the point of completion he has +to stop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Never mind, Danny. You can do it again +the night or the morrow morning. I want you to look +decent. Come on and get on you.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>beginning to regard his brother with a sudden +interest and suspicion</i>). Who did you say was coming?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>at door to rooms</i>). Andy and Sarah McMinn. +(He goes out.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>suddenly realising the import of the preparations +going on.</i>) McMinn. Mc——. (<i>He stops short, +and then in a horrified voice.</i>) Surely to God he hasn't +a notion of that woman? (<i>Calling tremulously.</i>) John! +John!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>at door</i>). Hurry up, man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>appealingly</i>). John. Tell me, John. You +haven't——you're not going to——you haven't a notion +of that woman?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>hesitatingly</i>). Well, Daniel, you see the house +needs some one to look after it proper, and I thought——well—maybe—that +Sarah would be just as nice and +saving a woman as I could get, but I thought I would +keep it a bit secret, don't you know, because I don't +know yet if she'd have me or not. And she could talk +to you better nor I could about machinery and things +that would interest you, for she has an agency for sewing +machines, and knows something about that sort of thing, +and you'd get on great with each other. Now, hurry +and get on you. (<i>He goes out by door into rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking after him in a helpless manner, and +sinking into a chair</i>). If—if she'd have him! O great +God! If that woman comes to this house, I—I'm a +ruined man.</p> + +<p class="center">(<span class="smcap">Curtain.</span>)</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ACT_II" id="ACT_II"></a>ACT II.</h2> + + +<p><i>The same scene some hours later. The curtain rises to +discover</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>seated near table at back enjoying a cup of +tea which she has made, and is drinking with relish.</i></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> I suppose they'll be wanting jam and sugar +for the tea—aye—and some of them scones Miss Mary +cooked yesterday, not but you couldn't eat them, and a +pat or two of butter. (<i>She finishes off the remains of the +tea.</i>) Now, that's a nice girl for you! Here's company +coming till the house and tea and things a wanting, +and she goes and leaves all to go strolling down the loaning +with that fool of a McCready.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>opens the yard door and comes in. He replaces +the spanner on the top shelf and then turns and +looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Kate.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Well?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Well, yourself?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Do you see any sign of them McMinns yet?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. I see the trap coming over the Cattle +Hill. There was three in it, as far as I could make out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Who be to be the third party I wonder? Is +it their servant man?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Do you think old Andy McMinn's servant +man gets leave to drive them about of an afternoon like +the clergy's? Talk sense, woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Maybe it's yon Scotch body I heard was +stopping with them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. Yon Mackenzie. Ach, man, but yon +creature would scunder you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Ach! Cracking jokes and laughing that +hearty at them, and I'm danged if a bat with one eye<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +shut could make out what he was laughing at. (<i>Listening.</i>) +Here they are. I hear the wheels coming up the +loaning. I'll have to go and put up the horse for them +I suppose. (<i>He goes out by yard door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> I wonder if the master seen them coming. +(<i>She rapidly clears the table and then goes over to door into +room</i>.) I better tell him. (<i>She knocks at the door</i>.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>without</i>). Aye. (<i>He comes and opens the door, +dressed in his best suit of clothes.</i>) What's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> They're just come, sir.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>excitedly</i>). Are they? (<i>Comes into kitchen.</i>) Is +my tie right, Kate? And my clothes—is there any dirt +on the back of them?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>inspecting him critically</i>). You'll do grand. I +never seen you looking better.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Where's Mary? Why isn't she here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> She went out about something. She'll be back +in a minute.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Right enough, it would do her all the good in +the world to have a sensible woman looking after her. +She just gets her own way a deal too much in this house. +(<i>He goes to window and looks out.</i>) Aye. Here they are! +Tell Daniel to hurry. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>goes off by door to rooms.</i>) +Sarah's looking bravely. Man, that woman could save +me thirty, aye forty, pounds a year if she was here. +(<i>Suddenly.</i>) Ach! Is Daniel never ready yet? (<i>Calls.</i>) +Daniel! (<i>Louder.</i>) Daniel!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>without</i>). Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Hurry, man. They've come. (<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>goes to +yard door and goes out.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>in an exasperated voice</i>). Ach!</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>comes in followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Andrew McMinn,</span> <i>an elderly +non-descript sort of man, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah,</span> <i>a sour faced +spinster of uncertain age. In the rear is</i> <span class="smcap">Donal +Mackenzie.</span> <i>He is wearing a tourist costume of +Norfolk jacket and knickers, and is a keen faced, hard, +angular looking personage.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Yous are all welcome. Every one of you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +You Andy and Sarah, and Mr. Mackenzie. The Scotch +is aye welcome, Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Aye. That's what I said the last time +I was in Ballyannis, and was verra thirsty, and went into +a beer-shop to get a dram—Black and White it was. Verra +guid. (<i>He laughs loudly at his own joke.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> We brought Mr. Mackenzie along with us +to see your brother, John. You see he's an engineer +and knows a good deal about machinery and plans and +things.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Aye. There's not much about machinery +that I dinna ken, Mr. Murray, from a forty thousand +horse power quadruple expansion doon to a freewheel +bicycle. (<i>Proudly.</i>) I hae done spells work at all of them, +you ken.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> I suppose Daniel's at home. Is he?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Daniel? Oh aye, Daniel's at home. He's +just tidying himself up a wee bit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> A wee bit paint and powder gangs a +lang gait to make up defects, as you ken yourself, Miss +McMinn. (<i>He laughs loudly.</i>) That's a guid one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>looking slyly at Sarah</i>). He's up out of bed then?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>innocently</i>). Oh aye. He sits up late of nights +working out things. (<i>He points to the door of workshop.</i>) +That's his workshop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> He works then?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. He works in there. (<i>Andy goes over and +goes into workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Because it doesna follow always, as I have +discovered in my experience, that because a man has a +workshop, he works. (<i>He laughs, evidently much pleased +at his own humour.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>looking out again through door</i>). There's nothing +much to see in this place except a lot of dirty papers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> That's the plans of the bellows he's +working at.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>going over to workshop</i>). Come out, Mr. +McMinn, till I examine. (<i>Andy comes out and he passes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +in.</i>) Eh. This is the plan of the great bellows. (<i>He +laughs loudly.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Is he making much headway with it, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Indeed, now, I think he's doing bravely at it. +He's keeping very close at it this day or two.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> There's a terrible amount of newspapers lying +in there. Has he no other plans and drawings except +what's there?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Oh aye. He has plenty of plans and drawings +somewhere, for I seen them once or twice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>coming out</i>). I can't say much about that +contrivance. (<i>He laughs.</i>) And, I say. Look here. +He does more than draw bellows. He draws corks as +well. (<i>He produces a bottle of whiskey almost empty.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Ah, well. He's not a great transgressor either +in the matter of a bottle. No, no.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> And the smell of smoke in the place!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> John, I think Daniel smokes far too much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> He should be dressed by now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Oh, aye. He should right enough. He's +a wee bit backward before women, you know, Sarah. +(<i>Calls.</i>) Daniel! (<i>He goes over and opens door into rooms.</i>) +Daniel!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>without</i>). Yes. (<i>He appears at the door +struggling vainly with his collar.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Why didn't you come long ago. What kept +you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Your collar. (<i>He looks across at</i> <span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>and</i> +<span class="smcap">Sarah,</span> <i>who have seated themselves at the back.</i>) How +do you do, Andy and Sarah? You're very welcome. +(<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie,</span> <i>who stares curiously at him.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> This is a friend of ours, Daniel, that happened +to be stopping with us last summer at Newcastle in the +same house, and he came over for his holidays to us this +time. We brought him over to see you. They calls +him Mackenzie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>crossing over to the left and taking a seat near +the door of the workshop.</i>) How do you do?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>patronisingly</i>). I'm glad to see you at last, +Mr. Murray, for I've heard a good deal about you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> You see, Daniel, Mr. Mackenzie is an engineer +in one of the great Scotch engineering yards. (<span class="smcap">Daniel's</span> +<i>face expresses his dismay, which he hurriedly tries to hide</i>.) +What place was it you were in, Mr. Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I served six years in the engine and fitting +shops with Messrs. Ferguson, Hartie & Macpherson, +and was two years shop foreman afterwards to Dennison, +McLachlan & Co., and now I'm senior partner with +the firm of Stephenson & Mackenzie. If ever you're +up in Greenock direction, and want to see how we do it, +just ask for Donal Mackenzie, and they'll show you the +place. (<i>Proudly.</i>) We're the sole makers of the +Mackenzie piston, if ever you heard of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). I'm sorry to say I haven't.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> And you call yourself an engineer and +you don't know about Donal Mackenzie's patent +reciprocating piston.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>apologetically</i>). You see we be a bit out of the +world here, Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. Now that's one point. One great +point that always tells against me. (<i>Getting courageous.</i>) +It really needs a man to be continually visiting the great +engineering centres—Greenock, London—</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>scornfully</i>). London's not an engineering +centre—Glasgow, Hartlepool, Newcastle——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, all those places. He could keep +himself posted up in all the newest ideas then, and +inventions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> But a man can keep himself to the fore +if he reads the technical journals and follows their articles. +What technical papers do you get? Do you ever get the +Scottish Engineers' Monthly Handbook, price sixpence +monthly? I'm the writer on the inventors' column. +My articles are signed Fergus McLachlan. Perhaps +you've read them?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I think—um—I'm not quite sure that I have.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> You remember one I wrote on the new +compressed air drills last July?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking across at</i> <span class="smcap">John,</span> <i>who is standing with his +back to the fireplace</i>). I don't think I do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> No. We don't get them sort of papers. I +did buy one or two like them for Daniel, but he told me +he would just as soon have the <i>Whig</i>, for there was just +as much information in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>laughing</i>). O spirit of Burns! Just as +much information—well, so much for that. Now, about +this new patent, this new fan bellows that I hear you're +working at, Mr. Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> What about it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> We both seen the drawings in there, Daniel, +but I don't think either of us made much of it. Could +you not explain it to him, Daniel. Give him an idea +what you mean to do with it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Now's your chance, Daniel. You were +talking of some difficulty or other. Maybe this gentleman +could help you with it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>shifting uneasily, and looking appealingly at</i> +<span class="smcap">John</span>). Well. There's no great hurry. A little later +on in the evening. (<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah.</span>) I'm thinking +about Miss McMinn. I don't think this conversation +would be very interesting to her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Oh, indeed now, Mr. Murray, I just love to +know about it. A good fan bellows would be the great +thing for yon fireplace of ours, Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye. Soul, it would that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uncomfortably</i>). No. Not just yet, John. A +bit later on. I'm shy, John, you know. A bit backward +before company.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You're a man to talk about going to see people +in London.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> What? Was he going to London?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. He was talking about going to London, +and I was half-minded to let him go.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>who exchanges meaning glances with</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span>). +Boys, that would cost a wheen of pounds!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Who wull you go to see in London?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>evasively</i>). Oh—engineers and patent agents +and people that would take an interest in that sort of thing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Have you anyone to go to in particular?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Oh, yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> It will cost a great deal of money, Daniel. +Seven or eight pounds anyway. Won't it, Mr. +Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> It would, and more.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>looking at</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>with evident admiration</i>). Man, +that's a saving woman. She can count the pounds. +(<i>Suddenly</i>). Daniel, away out and show Andy and Mr. +Mackenzie the thresher, and get used to the company, +and then you can come in and explain the thing to them. +I want Sarah to stay here and help me to make the tea. +That fool of a Mary is away again somewhere.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>after a sly glance at</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span>). Aye. Come on, +Daniel, and explain it to us. I hear there's a new kind +of feedboard on her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> How is she driven, Mr. Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uncomfortably</i>). How is she what?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> How is she worked—steam, horse, or +water power, which?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>motioning</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>to go, which the latter does +very unwillingly</i>). Go on out and you can show them, +Daniel. (<span class="smcap">Daniel,</span> <span class="smcap">Andy,</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>go out through +yard door.</i>) He's backward, you know, Sarah, oh, aye—backward; +but a great head. A great head on him, +Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I suppose he is clever in his way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>seating himself close beside her and talking with +innocent enthusiasm</i>). Ah, boys, Sarah, I mind when he +went to serve his time with McArthurs, of Ballygrainey, +he was as clever a boy as come out of the ten townlands. +And then he set up for himself, you know, and lost all, +and then he come here. He's doing his best, poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +creature, till pay me for what kindness I showed him, +by trying to invent things that he says would maybe +pay off, some time or other, all he owes to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>cynically</i>). Poor Daniel! And he lost all his +money?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Every ha'penny; and he took a hundred +pounds off me as well. And now, poor soul, he hasn't a +shilling, barring an odd pound or two I give him once +or twice a month.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Well! Well! And he's been a long time this +way?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. (<i>Reflectively.</i>) I suppose it's coming on +now to twenty years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> It's a wonder he wouldn't make some shapes +to try and get a situation somewhere.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Ach, well, you know, when Annie, the wife, +died and left Mary a wee bit of a wain, I was lonesome, +and Daniel was always a right heartsome fellow, and I +never asked him about going when he came here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> He must be rather an expense to you. Pocket +money for tobacco, and whenever he goes out a night +to McArn's, its a treat all round to who is in at the +time. And his clothes and boots, and let alone that, his +going to see people about patents and things up to +Belfast three or four times in the year. If he was in a +situation and doing for himself, you could save a bit of +money.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>pensively</i>). Aye. Heth and I never thought +much of that, Sarah. I could right enough. I'll think +over that now. (<i>He looks at her, and then begins in a +bashful manner.</i>) You weren't at Ballyannis School +fête, Sarah?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> No. But I heard you were there. Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>coming still closer</i>). I was expecting to see you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>contemptuously</i>). I don't believe in young girls +going to them things.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>gazing at her in astonishment</i>). But God bless +me, they wouldn't call you young! (<span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>turns up her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +nose disgustedly.</i>) I missed you. Man, I was looking +for you all roads.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I'm not a fool sort of young girl that you can +just pass an idle hour or two with, John Murray, mind +that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> I never thought that of you, Sarah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Some people think that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>astonished</i>). No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> They do. There's Andy just after warning +me this morning about making a fool of myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>puzzled</i>). But you never done that, Sarah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Well, he was just after giving me advice about +going round flirting with Tom, Dick and Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Ah no. You never done that. Sure I knowed +you this years and years, and you never had a boy to my +knowing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>offended</i>). Well I had, plenty. Only I just +wouldn't take them. I refused more than three offers +in my time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>incredulously</i>). Well! Well! And you wouldn't +have them!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Why now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>looking at him meaningly</i>). Well—I liked +somebody else better.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>piqued</i>). Did he—the somebody—did he never +ask you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> He might yet, maybe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>hopelessly to himself</i>). I wonder would it be any +use then me asking her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> And I'm beginning to think he is a long time +thinking about it. (<i>Knocking at the door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>angrily</i>). Ach! Who's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>opening yard door and looking in</i>). Me, sir. +Mr. Dan wants to know could you not come out a minute, +and show the gentlemen what way you can stop the +feedboard working.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Don't you know yourself, you stupid headed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +lump you. Away back at once. (<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>hurriedly +closes the door after an inquiring glance at the pair.</i>) That's +them servant men for you. He knowed rightly what +way it worked, only he was just curious. (<i>Savagely.</i>) +He's a stupid creature, anyway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I think all men is stupid. They never see +things at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Now, Sarah, sure women are just as bad. There's +Mary. She's bright enough someways, but others—ach——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Mary needs someone—a woman—to look +after her. Somebody that knows how to manage a +house and save money. She's lost running about here. +Now, I had a young girl with me once was a wild +useless thing when she came, and when she left me six +months after, there wasn't a better trained, nor as meek +a child in the whole country.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> And you can manage a house, Sarah, and well, +too. Can't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I ran the house for Andy there twenty years +and more, and I never once had to ask him for a pound. +And what's more, I put some into the bank every quarter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Did you now? (<i>He looks at her in wondering +admiration.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Yes. And I cleared five pounds on butter +last half year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>with growing wonder</i>). Did you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> And made a profit of ten pounds on eggs +alone this year already.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>unable to contain himself any longer</i>). Sarah, will +you marry me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>coyly</i>). Oh, John, this is very sudden. (<i>Knocking +at yard door.</i>) I will. I will. Will you tell them +when they come in?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>now that the ordeal has been passed, feeling somewhat +uncomfortable</i>). Well, I would rather you waited a +few days, and then we could let them know, canny, don't +you know, Sarah. Break the news soft, so to speak. Eh?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>disappointedly</i>). Well, if you want it particular +that way I—(<i>knocking</i>).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>going to door</i>). Aye, I'd rather you did. (<i>He +goes to the door and opens it and</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>comes in.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I peeped through the window and I thought, +perhaps, it would be better to knock first. It's a nice +evening Miss McMinn. (<i>She takes off her hat and flings +it carelessly on a chair.</i>) Where's Uncle Dan? I want +to see him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> He'll be in soon enough. He's out showing +Andy and Mackenzie the thresher.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>laughing</i>). Uncle Dan! What does he know +about——(<i>she stops short, remembering that</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>is +present.</i>) Mr. Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Yes. He's a gentleman, a friend of ours, +engaged in the engineering business, who has a large place +of his own in Scotland, and we brought him over here +to see your Uncle Dan about the invention he's +working at.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You stop here, Mary, with Sarah, and get the +tea ready. You should have been in the house when +company was coming. Where were you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Oh, just down the loaning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Who with?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Alick McCready.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>sternly</i>). Aye. You're gay fond of tralloping +about with the boys.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> He's not just the sort of young man I would +like to see in your company, Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>impertinently</i>). It's none of your business +whose company I was in.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>disapprovingly</i>). Now, Mary, remember your +manners in front of your elders, and mind you must +always show Miss McMinn particular respect. (<i>Impressively</i>). +Particular respect. (<i>Going towards yard +door.</i>) And you can show Sarah what you have in the +house, and do what she bids you. Them's my orders. +(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>looking disapprovingly at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). I wonder a +girl like you has no more sense than to go gallivanting +about at this time of day with boys, making talk for the +whole country side.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>sharply</i>). I don't have to run after them to other +people's houses anyway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> And that is no way to be leaving down your hat. +(<i>She picks it up and looks at it.</i>) Is that your Sunday one?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>snatching it out of her hand</i>). Just find out for +yourself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Now, you should take and put it away carefully. +There's no need to waste money that way, wearing things +out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>with rising temper</i>). Do you know it's <i>my</i> hat? +Not yours. And I can do what I like with it. (<i>She +throws it down and stamps on it.</i>) I can tramp on it if I +want to.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>smiling grimly</i>). Oh, well, tramp away. It's +no wonder your father complained of waste and this sort +of conduct going on.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>comes in through door from rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Have you got the tea things ready, Kate?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Yes, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I suppose we better wet the tea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>looking at the fire</i>). Have you the kettle on?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Can't you see for yourself it's not on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Here, girl (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span>), fill the kettle and put it +on. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary,</span> <i>and with a shrug of her shoulders, +obeys the orders.</i>) Where's the tea till I show you how +to measure?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>in a mocking voice</i>). Kate, get Miss McMinn +the tea cannister till she shows you how to measure. +(<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>goes to the dresser and brings the teapot and +cannister over to</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>at the table.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> But it's <i>you</i> I want to show. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>pays +no attention, but sits down idly drumming her fingers on the +table.</i>) There now—pay particular attention to this. +(<i>She takes the cannister from</i> <span class="smcap">Kate,</span> <i>opens it and ladles out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +the tea with a spoon into the teapot.</i>) One spoonful for +your father and uncle, one for my brother and Mr. +Mackenzie, one for yourself and me, and half-a-one +for Kate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Do you see that, Kate?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Yes, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>mockingly</i>). Now the next thing, I suppose, +is to weigh out the sugar.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> No. You always ask the company first do +they take sugar before you pour out the tea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No; not in good society. You put it on the +saucers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Put some in the bowl, Kate, and never heed her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>almost tearfully</i>). You've no business to say +that, Kate! Who's your mistress here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>very promptly</i>). You, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Then do what I tell you. Put on the tablecloth, +and lay the cups and saucers, and make everything +ready, and take no orders except from me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Very well. I'll learn her manners when I +come to this house. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>) I want to see the china.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Well, go into the next room and look for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>going towards door to rooms</i>). You better mind +what your father told you. (<i>She goes in.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>making a face after her</i>). You nasty old thing. +(<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>appears at the door from yard. He is nervous and +worried looking. He goes and sits down near the fireplace, +wearily.</i>) Uncle Dan. (<i>She goes over close beside +him.</i>) Wasn't it good of Alick? He went away to Ballyannis +Post Office to get that telegram sent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> A very decent fellow, Alick. (<i>Gratefully.</i>) +Very obliging.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>confidingly</i>). Do you know, uncle, when he +went off to send that telegram I was nearly calling him +back. I don't care so very much now whether I see that +boy you were telling me about or not. Is he—do you +think, uncle—is he much nicer than Alick?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Nicer? (<i>He looks at his niece, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +begins to divine the way her feelings lie.</i>) Well, of course +we have all our opinions on these things you know, +Mary, but Alick—well, after all there's many a worse +fellow than Alick, isn't there? (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>does not answer, +but puts her head close to her uncle.</i>) Ah, yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>suddenly</i>). Uncle! Do you know what has +happened? I heard father proposing to Miss McMinn!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>groaning</i>). Oh my! I knew it would happen! +I knew it would happen! When? Where?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> In here. I wanted to slip in quietly after +leaving Alick down the loaning when I overheard the +voices. It was father and Miss McMinn. She was +telling him how she had saved five pounds on butter last +half year, and ten pounds on eggs this year, and then +father asked her to marry him. I knocked at the door +out of divilment, and she just pitched herself at him. +I—I'm not going to stay in the house with that woman. +I'd sooner marry Alick McCready.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>despairingly</i>). I would myself. I daren't—I +couldn't face the look of that woman in the +mornings.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> It's all right for you to talk, uncle. You'll +be working away at your inventions, and that sort of thing, +and will have nothing much to do with her, but I'd be +under her thumb all the time. And I hate her, and I +know she hates me. (<i>Tearfully.</i>) And then the way +father talks about her being such a fine housekeeper, +and about the waste that goes on in this house, it nearly +makes me cry, just because I have been a bit careless +maybe. But I could manage a house every bit as well +as she could, and I'd show father that if I only got another +chance. Couldn't I uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>soothingly</i>). And far better, Mary. Far +better.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> And you could do far more at your invention +if you only got a chance. Couldn't you, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No doubt about it, Mary. None. I never +got much of a chance here.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I wonder could we both try to get another +chance. (<i>Suddenly, with animation.</i>) Uncle!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Aren't you going to explain that fan bellows +thing you've been working at to them when they come in? +(<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>nods sadly.</i>) Well, look. That Scotchman—he +understands things like that, and that's just the reason +why that nasty woman brought him over. Just to trip +you and show you up, and she thinks she'll make father +see through you. But just you rise to the occasion and +astonish them. Eh, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). Um—well, I don't know. That +Scotchman's rather a dense sort of fellow. Very hard to +get on with somehow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Now, Uncle Dan, it's our last chance. Let us +beat that woman somehow or other.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's all very well, Mary, to talk that way. +(<i>Suddenly.</i>) I wonder is there a book on machinery in +the house?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Machinery? Let me think. Yes, I do believe +<span class="smcap">Kate</span> was reading some book yesterday about things, +and there was something about machinery in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> For Heaven's sake, Mary, get it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>calling</i>). Kate! Are you there, Kate? (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>comes in from inner rooms.</i>) Where's that book you were +reading last night, Kate?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>surprised</i>). For dear's sake, Miss! Yon dirty +old thing? The one with the big talk between the +old fellow and the son about everything in the world +you could think of?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes, yes. Uncle Dan wants it. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>fetches +a tattered volume from the dresser and hands it to</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> +<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>opens it, and reads while the two girls peer over his +shoulder.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>reading slowly</i>). "The Child's Educator. A +series of conversations between Charles and his father +regarding the natural philosophy, as revealed to us, by +the Very Reverend Ezekiel Johnston."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> (<i>much interested</i>). Aye. Just go on till you see +Mr. Dan. Its the queerest conversation between an +old lad and his son ever you heard tell of.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>reading</i>). Ah! "The simple forms of machines. +The lever, the wedge, the inclined plane—Father—and +here we come to further consider the application of this +principle, my dear Charles, to what is known as the +differential wheel and axle. Um Charles—Father—Charles. +Father." (<i>He looks up despairingly at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary.</span>) +No good, my dear. Out of date. (<i>He, however, resumes +reading the book carefully.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>nudging</i> <span class="smcap">Mary,</span> <i>and pointing to door into rooms</i>). +She's going into all the cupboards and drawers, and looking +at everything. (<i>She turns to go back and opens the +door to pass through.</i>) I never seen such a woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>raising her voice so as to let</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>hear her</i>). +Just keep an eye on her, Kate, and see she doesn't take +anything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I might get something out of this. Atmosphere. +Pressure.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan. (<i>He pays no attention, but is +absorbed in the book</i>). Uncle Dan, I'm going down the +loaning a pace. Alick said he might be back, and I +think—(<i>she sees he is not listening, and slips back to look +over his shoulder.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>reading</i>). Charles. And now my dear father, +after discussing in such clear and lucid terms the use of +the barometer, and how it is constructed, could you tell +me or explain the meaning of the word "pneumatic."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>going towards yard door</i>). Good luck, Uncle +Danny. I'm away. (<i>She goes out.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. There's not much here about bellows. +(<i>Hopelessly.</i>) I wish I had made up this subject a little +better. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>comes in evidently much perturbed and +angry.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> The divil take her and them remarks of hers. +Who gave her the right to go searching that way, I +wonder? Where's the silver kept, and was it locked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +and how many spoons was there, and why weren't they +better polished; and part of the china broke.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>coming to door and speaking. As soon as</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> +<i>hears her voice he hurriedly retreats across to the workshop.</i>) +Where do you keep the knives and forks?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> You don't want forks for the tea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I want to count them.</p> + +<p>Kate (<i>in amazement</i>). Oh, God save us! You'd think +there was a pross on the house! (<i>She follows</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>in +through door</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>comes in, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">John,</span> +<i>then</i> <span class="smcap">Andy.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> And it was a great idea, you know. The +steam passed through the condenser, and the exhaust +was never open to the atmosphere.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>evidently much impressed, and repeating the +word in a wondering manner</i>) Aye. The exhaust!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Aye. The exhaust. But now I'm verra +anxious to hear your brother explaining what he's made +out about the bellows. Its the small things like that +you ken that a man makes a fortune of, not the big ones.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>impressed</i>). Do you think that now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> You know I take a particular interest +in bellows myself. I tried my hand a good while working +out a new kind of bellows, and I flatter myself that I +know something about the subject.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. (<i>Looking round.</i>) Where's Daniel? +Daniel! Are you there, Daniel? (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>comes out and +stands near the door.</i>) You could maybe bring them plans +out you're working at and explain it to them now, Daniel. +Eh? And wait, Sarah wants to hear it too. (<i>Calling.</i>) +Are you there, Sarah?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>seating himself sadly</i>). Aye. She's in there +somewhere taking stock.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>going next door to rooms</i>). Are you there, dear? +(<span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>comes out.</i>) Daniel's going to explain the thing +to us, and you wanted to hear about it. Didn't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> I'm just dying to know all about it. (<i>She +seats herself to the right at back.</i> <span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>sits on one side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +of the table and</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>at the other, expectantly, while</i> +<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>goes over to the fireplace almost opposite his brother.</i>) +You know, Mr. Daniel, that's one thing we want very +bad in our house—a good fan bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> They are very useful, very.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. They are that. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span>). He has +a good head on him, Daniel. Eh? (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel.</span>) Now +go on and make it very plain so that every one can follow +you. Bring out the plans and show us.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>uneasily</i>.) I can explain it better without them. +(<i>After a pause.</i>) Well, I suppose this subject of bellows +would come under the heading of pneumatics in +natural philosophy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Oh, now, don't be going off that way. Could +you not make it plainer nor that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>appealingly</i>). Well. Could I be much plainer, +Mr. Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>cynically</i>). I'm here to discuss fan bellows, +not pneumatics.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>sotto voce</i>). D——n him. (<i>He pulls himself +together.</i>) Well. Then I suppose the first thing is—well—to +know what is a bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye. Man, Daniel, you start off just the same +as the clergy. That's the way they always goes on +expounding things to you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>severely</i>). Don't be interrupting, Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>sneeringly</i>). Well, I think everyone here +knows what a bellows is.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Everyone here? Do you, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. I would like, Daniel, to hear right what +a bellows is. I mean I can see the thing blowing up a +fire when you use it, any man could see that—but its +the workings of it. What's the arrangements and +internal works of the bellows now, Daniel?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, you push the handles together in an +ordinary bellows and—and the air—blows out. (<i>Seeing +that this statement is received coldly.</i>) Now, why does +it blow out?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>disappointedly</i>). Because it's pushed out of course. +There's no sense in asking that sort of a question.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, there's a flap on the bellows—a thing +that moves up and down. Well, that flap has all to do +with pushing the air.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Maybe this scientifican business is uninteresting +to you, Sarah, is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>brightening up at the suggestion</i>). I'm sure +it is. Perhaps we better stop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>smiling grimly</i>). Oh, not at all. I want to hear +more.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> You're wasting a lot of my time, Mr. +Murray. I came here to hear about a fan bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>confusedly</i>). Oh, yes. Yes. Certainly. Fan +bellows. There's a difference between a fan bellows +and an ordinary bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>opening door from yard and coming in</i>). Oh, +Uncle Dan, are you explaining it to them. Did I miss +much of it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I don't think it matters much what time +you come in during this.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>impatiently</i>). Go on, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's very hard for me to go on with these +constant interruptions. Well, I was just saying there +was a difference between a fan bellows and an ordinary +bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Now, what is a fan bellows yourself, Mr. +Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>hopelessly</i>). A fan bellows? Ah. Why now +is it called a fan bellows?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>roughly</i>). Don't be asking me my own +questions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>with a despairing effort</i>). Well, now we will +take it for granted it is because there must be something +of the nature of a fan about a fan bellows. It is because +there are fans inside the casing. And the handle being +turned causes these—eh—fans to turn round too. And +then the air comes out with a rush.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. It must be the fans that pushes it out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Exactly. Well, now, the difficulty we find +here is—(<i>he pauses</i>).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Go on, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> You want a constant draught blowing. That's +number one. Then—well—the other. You see, if +we took some of these fans.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>in a floundering way</i>). And put them in a +tight-fitting case, and put more of them inside, and +understood exactly what their size was, we could arrange +for the way that—</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>in a puzzled way to</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span>). I can only follow +Daniel a short way too. (<i>Repeating slowly.</i>) Put them +in a tight-fitting case—</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>appearing at yard door with a telegram in his +hand, and speaking with suppressed excitement</i>). A telegram +for Mr. Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>with a gasp of relief</i>). Ah! (<i>He tears it open +and proudly reads it out aloud.</i>) "Come to London at +once to explain patent. Want to purchase. Gregg."</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>goes out again.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Who? Gregg?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I suppose I better go, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Let's see the telegram. (<i>He goes over to</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel,</span> +<i>who hands it to him.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> If you go to London, it'll take you to +explain yourself a bit better, Mr. Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>who has resumed his place at the fire, and is looking +carefully at the telegram</i>). That will mean how many +pounds, Daniel, did you say?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>promptly</i>). Fifteen, John. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>goes out +by door to rooms.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Who is Gregg?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Gregg? Ah. He's a man lives in London. +Engineer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>dubiously</i>). Well, I suppose you—(<i>he pauses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +then hands the telegram to</i> <span class="smcap">Sarah</span>, <i>who stretches out her hand +for it.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>at door</i>). Tea's ready. (<i>She stands aside to +let the company past.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> We didn't hear all about the bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>contemptuously</i>). No, nor you never will. (<i>He +rises and goes through the door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>rising and stretching himself wearily</i>). +Any more, Mr. Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I refuse to discuss the matter any further +in public. (<i>He goes off across to tea.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>going over to John and looking at him +knowingly</i>). Do you know what it is, Mr. Murray? Your +brother's nothing short of an impostor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>much offended</i>). Don't dare to say that of a +Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>shrugging his shoulders</i>). Well, I'm going +for some tea. (<i>Exit.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> John, I've something to say to you again about +Daniel, but the company's waiting. (<i>She goes out to +the tea room.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>sitting down moodily</i>). Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Are you not coming, father?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father! Surely you aren't going to marry that +woman?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Don't talk of Sarah that ways. I am!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Well, if you are, I'm going to say yes to Alick +McCready. I don't want to yet awhile, but I'm not going +to stay on here if that nasty woman comes. (<i>She kneels +close beside her father and puts her arms round his neck.</i>) +Oh, father, if you only give me another chance, I could +show you I could keep house every bit as well as that +woman. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>appears at the door. He slips across +to the workshop unobserved.</i>) Give me another chance, +father. Don't marry her at all. Let me stay with you—won't +you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You're too late. She's trothed to me now.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Pooh. I'd think nothing of that. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> +<i>comes out of the workshop with a bag.</i>) Uncle Dan! +What's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Mary, I can't eat and sit beside that Scotchman. +(<i>He notices</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>is absorbed in deep thought, and +motions</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>to slip out. She does so, and he looks +observingly at</i> <span class="smcap">John,</span> <i>and then goes to the table, and makes +a noise with the bag on the table.</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>watches him a +moment or two in amazed silence.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> What are you doing, Daniel?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Just making a few preparations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Ah, but look here. I haven't settled about +London yet, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Oh, London, John. (<i>Deprecatingly.</i>) Let +that pass. I won't worry you about that. (<i>Broken +heartedly.</i>) I'm leaving your house, John.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>astonished</i>). What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> You've been kind, John. Very kind. We +always pulled well together, and never had much cross +words with one another, but—well, circumstances are +altered now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You mean because I'm going to marry Sarah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Exactly. That puts an end to our long and +pleasant sojourn here together. I'll have to go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>affected</i>). Oh easy, Daniel. Ah, now, Sarah +always liked you. She thinks a deal of you, and I'm sure +she'd miss you out of the house as much as myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> John, I know better. She wants me out of +this, and I would only be a source of unhappiness. I +wouldn't like to cause you sorrow. She doesn't believe +in me. She brought that Scotchman over to try and +show me up. You all think he did. You think I mugged +the thing. You don't believe in me now yourself. (<i>He +puts a few articles of clothing, &c., into the bag.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>awkwardly</i>). Aye. Well—to tell you the truth, +Daniel, you did not make much of a hand at explaining, +you——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>pathetically</i>). I thought so. Look here.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +One word. (<i>He draws</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>aside.</i>) Do you think +Mackenzie invented that patent reciprocating piston +that he's so proud of?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>looking at him in amazement</i>). What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>impressively</i>). Well. I know something about +that. He stole it off another man, and took all the +profits. I knew that. Do you think I'm going to give +away the product of my brains explaining it to a man +like that! No fear, John. (<i>He turns again to the bag.</i>) +I'm taking details of my bellows, and my coat, and a +few socks, and the pound you gave me yesterday, and +I'm going to face the world alone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>moved</i>). No, no. You'll not leave me, Daniel. +Ah, no. I never meant that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> If she's coming here I'll have to go, and may +as well now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>without</i>). John Murray!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>retreating slowly to the workshop</i>). I'm going +to get that other coat you gave me. It's better than this +one for seeing people in. (<i>He goes into workshop as</i> +<span class="smcap">Sarah</span> <i>comes out into the kitchen. She is evidently displeased.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Hurry up, John. The company's waiting on +you, and I don't know what's keeping you. Unless it +was that brother of yours, more shame to him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Daniel kept me. (<i>Looking at her.</i>) He's +talking of leaving. You wouldn't have that, Sarah, +would you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>sharply</i>). Leaving, is he? And a right good +riddance say I. What has he done but ate up all your +substance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>astonished</i>). You wouldn't put him out, Sarah?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>snappishly</i>). I just wouldn't have him about +the place. An idle, good for nothing, useless, old pull +a cork.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Do you not like him, Sarah? (<i>Somewhat +disapprovingly.</i>) You told me you thought a good deal +of him before.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> Aye. Until I seen through him. Him and +his letters and telegrams. Just look at that. (<i>She shows +him the telegram.</i>) It comes from Ballyannis.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>scratching his head in puzzled wonder</i>). I don't +understand that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah.</span> He just put up some one to send it. Young +McCready or someone. You couldn't watch a man like +that. No. If I come here, out he goes. You expects +me to come and save you money and the like of that old +bauchle eating up the profits. (<i>She goes towards the door +into tea room.</i>) Come into your tea at once. (<i>Exit.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> By me sang he was right. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>comes out +and starts brushing his coat loudly to attract</i> <span class="smcap">John's</span> <i>attention, +and then goes across towards him and holds out his hand.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I'll say good-bye, John. Maybe I'll never +see you again. (<i>He appears much affected.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>touched</i>). Ach. Take your time. I don't see +the sense of this hurrying. Stop a week or two, man. +I'll be lonesome without you. We had many a good +crack in the evenings, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> We had, John. And I suppose now that +you'll be married I'll have to go, but many a time I'll be +sitting lonely and thinking of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. You were always the best of company, +and heartsome. You were, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, I did my best, John, to keep—(<i>he half +breaks down</i>)—to keep up a good heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You did. I wouldn't like to lose you, Daniel. +(<i>He looks at the telegram in his hand.</i>) But Daniel. This +telegram. It comes from Ballyannis.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>taken aback, but recovering his self possession.</i>) +Ballyannis? Ballyannis? Ah, of course. Sure Gregg, +that London man, he was to go through Ballyannis +to-day. He's on a visit, you know, somewhere this way. +It's him I'm going to look for now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Was that the way of it? (<i>With rising anger at +the thought of the way in which his brother has been treated.</i>) +And she was for making you out an impostor and for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +putting you out. I didn't like them talking of a Murray +the way they done.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>with sudden hope</i>). Are you engaged to that +McMinn woman, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. I spoke the word the day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Was there anybody there when you asked her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> There was no one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Did you write her letters?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> No. Not a line.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> And did you visit and court much at the home?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> No. I always seen Andy on business and +stopped to have a word or two with her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>appealingly</i>). Then, John, John, it's not too +late yet. (<i>Desperately.</i>) Give me—ah, give wee Mary +another chance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sarah</span> (<i>at door</i>). Come in, John, at once. Your tea's +cold waiting, and it's no way to entertain company that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>angrily</i>). D——n her. Daniel! Out of this +home you will not go. I'd rather have your crack of a +winter night as two hundred pounds in the bank and yon +woman. (<i>He reaches out his hand.</i>) I'll break the match. +(<i>The two men shake hands.</i>)</p> + +<p class="center">(<span class="smcap">Curtain.</span>)</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ACT_III" id="ACT_III"></a>ACT III</h2> + + +<p><i>The same scene two weeks later.</i> <span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>comes in by +yard door holding letters in his hand, which he examines +curiously at intervals.</i></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>shouting loudly</i>). Miss Mary! Are you there, +Miss Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>coming in from parlour</i>). Hi there. Stop that +shouting. D'ye want to wake the dead?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> I want to give these letters to Miss Mary. +Where is she?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Who're they for? Let's look at them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Not for you anyway. (<i>Loudly.</i>) Miss Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Ach quit deaving me with your shouting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>coming in</i>). What's the matter? Oh! Letters! +Any for me, Sam?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. There's a post card for you, Miss Mary, +and a registered letter for Mr. John. The posty says +he'll call on the road back for the account when you +sign it. (<i>He hands the post card to</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>and looks carefully +at the letter.</i>) It's like the <span class="smcap">McMinn</span> writing that. +(<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary,</span> <i>who is reading and re-reading the post +card with a puzzled expression.</i>) Isn't Mr. Dan to be +home to-day from Belfast, Miss Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Eh?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Isn't Mr. Dan expected home to-day from +Belfast?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> I wonder did he get the bellows sold? There +was great talking about him last night in McArn's. Some +said he had sold it and made a fortune. (<i>He breaks off +abruptly on seeing that</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>pays no attention to him, and +then peers over to see what she is reading.</i>) Post cards +is interesting things. Picture post cards is.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Here. Away out and get them purtas dug for +the dinner. We're tired hearing your gabble.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>retreating to door and eyeing</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>meaningly</i>). +The master was complaining again to me yesterday evening +about the dinner he got. There's no mistake he +likes his meat like myself, and right enough it was bad +yesterday. I was chowing haws all evening to keep off +the hunger.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Go on you out of this.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> That's all the news this morning. (<i>He makes +a grimace at</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>and goes out into the yard.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I can't understand this post card. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>goes over and looks at it along with</i> <span class="smcap">Mary.</span>)</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"O wad that God the gift wad gie us,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">To see oorselves as ithers see us."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>What does that mean? "How's the uncle?" It's some +cheeky person anyway—"from D.M." Who could that +be?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> It's not McCready, Miss, is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No. That's not his writing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Och, Miss Mary! Do you see the picture of the +Highland man dancing, and under it—"A Mackenzie +Clansman." It's thon Scotch fellow sent it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Just like the way he would do. I met him again +one night we were over at the doctor's, and he was trying +to make up to me all he was able.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye. Any word from Mr. Dan about the boy +he was to bring you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No. I'm not going to bother any more about +boys, I'm going to keep house from this on properly. +But Uncle Dan said something in his last letter about a +great surprise he had for all of us.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Surprise enough it will be, and he lands home +with a ha'penny in his pocket. The last time he come +home he borrowed a shilling of me and niver paid me +back yet. Did he sell the plans of the bellows, Miss?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> He didn't say. (<span class="smcap">John Murray</span> <i>comes through +yard door. He has evidently been working outside and has +left his work in a hurry.</i>) Father, there's a letter for +you. (<i>She hands it to him.</i>) A registered one too.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. So Brown was telling me. Maybe its +from thon McAlenan fellow that owes me two pound +for the heifer. (<i>He tears it open.</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>watch him with interest. His face changes as he reads, and +an expression of dismay comes over it.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>coming closer to him</i>). What's the matter, +father?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>fidgeting uneasily</i>). Nothing, child. Nothing. +(<i>He looks at the letter again.</i>) Well I'm—(<i>He stops +short on remembering</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>is there.</i>) She's a caution.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father. Tell me. Is it from the McMinns?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. (<i>Pacing up and down.</i>) I knowed she'd +do it. I knowed she'd do it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Sarah's taking an action against me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> An action?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. (<i>Consulting the letter.</i>) For a thousand +pounds.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>awestruck</i>). A thousand pounds!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Now the fat's in the fire. She says I +promised to marry her and broke it off. At least, it's +Andy that writes the letter, but it's her that put him up +to it. I know that too well. (<i>Reading.</i>) "To Mr. John +Murray. Dear Sir,—You have acted to my sister in +a most ungentlemanly way, and done her much wrong, +and I have put the case intil the hands of Mr. McAllen, +the solicitor, who will bring it forward at the coming +Assizes. If you wish, however, to avoid a scandal, we +are oped to settle the matter by private arrangement for +one thousand pounds. Yours truly, Andrew McMinn."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> That's awful, father, isn't it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>going over to fireplace and standing there +irresolutely</i>). Aye. It's a terrible mess, right enough.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>brightening up</i>). Sure she wouldn't get a +thousand off you, father?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> There's John McArdle up by Slaney Cross got +a hundred pounds took off him by wee Miss Black, the +school teacher.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>uncomfortably</i>). Aye. Heth now, I just call that +to mind. And he never got courting her at all, I believe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> It just served him right. He was always a +great man for having five or six girls running after him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> And she hadn't much of a case against him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> The school children were standing by when he +asked her in a joking sort of way would she marry him, +and the court took their evidence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>hopelessly</i>). Aye. Men are always terrible hard +on other men where women are concerned.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> And a good job it is, or half the girls would be +at the church waiting, and the groom lying at home +rueing his bargain. (<i>She goes out by yard door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>going up to her father</i>). Father, has she a good +case against you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>after a moment of deep thought</i>). No. I don't +think it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Don't worry so much then, father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> It's the jury I'm so frightened of. They all +come from the mountainy district at this Assizes, and +there's not a man of them but wouldn't put a knife in me, +the way I get beating them down in price at the fairs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I don't think they'd give her fifty pounds +when they see her. It's only good looking girls would +get big sums like a thousand pounds.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> It's all very well, Mary, but she could dress +herself to look nice enough, the same Sarah, if she liked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> She could not, indeed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> They say, at least Brown was hinting to me, +that its yon Scotch fellow, Mackenzie, has put up the +McMinns to this business. He and that connection +are as thick as thieves.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> He mightn't be so very fond of them. When +a man sends post cards to a girl he doesn't know very well, +he's got a wee bit of a liking for her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> What are you talking about? I never sent her +any post cards.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father, what are you going to do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>despairingly</i>). I'm d——d if I know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Will you defend the case?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> I don't want to go near the court at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father! (<i>Alarmed.</i>) Father! Sure you +wouldn't—you couldn't think of marrying her after +all that row that happened? (<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>remains silent.</i>) +Wouldn't you rather lose a thousand pounds and keep +me, father? (<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>breaks a piece of soda bread morosely +and eats it.</i>) Wouldn't you, father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Ah! (<i>He spits out the bread.</i>) Heaven save us, +what kind of bread's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>taking away the bread and putting it behind her +back.</i>) Father! Ah please, please, don't marry her +anyway. Sure you won't?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>coming in hastily</i>). Here's Mr. Dan coming up +the loaning, sir, that grand looking you'd hardly know +him, and a big cigar in his mouth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Daniel back?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Oh, I must go out and meet him. (<i>She goes +out by yard door quickly.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Had he his luggage with him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. He has yon big portmanteau of his, +and a parcel of something or other.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Away out and help him then, can't you? +(<span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>goes out.</i>) I wonder what kept him in Belfast +all this time. I suppose he's spent most of the five +pounds I gave him. Like enough. I never mind him +coming back yet with a ha'penny on him. (<i>He sits down +at the fireplace and looks again at the letter.</i>) A thousand +pounds! And there never was a breach of promise case +known where they didn't bring in a verdict for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +woman. Never! (<i>He becomes absorbed in thought, and +as he sits ruminating</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>opens the door, carrying a large +brown paper parcel, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>is dressed +fairly well, and seems to be in high spirits.</i> <span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>follows +him carrying a portmanteau.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>brightly</i>). Home again, John.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>morosely</i>). Aye. It was near time, I think.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Saw quite a number of people this time, John. +A great number. They were all very much interested. +Fine town, Belfast. Growing very rapidly. Wonderful +place.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What's in the parcel? (<i>She looks at it with +great curiosity.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Ah, that—that't the great secret. Mum's +the word. All in good time, Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Will I leave your bag here, Mr. Dan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. Here's a sixpence for you. (<i>He hands +it to</i> <span class="smcap">Brown.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> You're brave and free-handed with your money. +Giving the like of that bauchle sixpence. (<span class="smcap">Brown,</span> <i>who +is going out through yard door, stares back at his master +protestingly, and then goes out.</i>) The Lord knows but +we will be wanting every ha'penny we can scrape together, +and soon enough.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I didn't tell Uncle Dan yet, father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>seating himself near the workshop door</i>). Has +anything happened?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes. Sarah McMinn has——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Read that letter, Daniel. (<i>He goes across and +hands</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>the letter, and goes back to the fireplace to +watch him.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>taking out his glasses and solemnly perusing the +letter</i>). Um.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Well? What do you think of that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>endeavouring to appear cheerful.</i>) Keep up a +stout heart, John. You're safe enough.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Oh, heth, I'm not so sure of that. Sure you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +never heard tell of a jury yet that didn't give damages +against the defendant in a breach of promise case. Did +you now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Tuts, man. She has no case.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Case or no case it doesn't seem to matter. +What sort of case had Jennie Black against John McArdle, +of Slaney Cross? None. What sort of case had Maggie +McAndless against old William Boyd? None at all. I +was at both of them trials and says to Pat McAleenan—"the +girl has no case at all!" But for all that they +brought in a verdict for one hundred pounds against +McArdle, and they put two hundred against old Boyd, +and nearly broke the two of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's very awkward this.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Did you do anything, Daniel about the bellows?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> The bellows? Aye. (<i>He points at the parcel.</i>) +A good deal, John. It's all there. But it's all not quite +settled yet. A day or two more and you'll see. If all +goes well I'll have a great surprise for you in a day or two.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>disgustedly</i>). Ach! I suppose you spent every +ha'penny of the money, too, that I gave you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> John. Another surprise for you! Those +people I met and went to, put me up very cheap for the +week. Very cheap. (<i>He produces some money.</i>) Therees +one pound ten and sixpence for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I'll keep the pound to do me to the end of the +month and not ask you for any more, John, after that. +That is if—well—(<i>He looks at the parcel.</i>) That thing +there is all right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>pocketing the ten and sixpence after counting it +carefully</i>). Daniel. I'm sorry, but there's an account of +some thirty shillings I owe the McArdles, and I want +to pay it the night. So if you don't mind—(<i>He holds +out his hand.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>unwillingly</i>). Well, I suppose it can't be +helped, John. But it leaves me just with nothing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +However, there you are. (<i>He hands the pound over to +him.</i> <span class="smcap">Sam Brown</span> <i>opens the yard door and peeps in +cautiously.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>looking at him angrily</i>). What ails <i>you</i> anyway?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> If you please sir, the posty wants the account +signed for that letter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Oh, I forgot all about that. (<i>She picks up the +receipt for the letter from the table.</i>) I'll sign it for you, +father. (<i>She goes over to</i> <span class="smcap">Brown,</span> <i>who whispers somethings. +She nods.</i>) And I'll give it to him myself. (<i>She goes out +following</i> <span class="smcap">Brown.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> It's a serious business, this, about the McMinns.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> You're all right, man. Wait a day or two. +Take my advice. Do nothing in a hurry. Sit down and +think it over the way I do when I'm working out a new +idea. Don't rush things. It will all come right in the +end. Just you wait and see if it doesn't.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Would it not be better to settle before going +into the court? You know I couldn't stand being pointed +out to of a Sunday morning and one and another talking—"There's +the man that Sarah McMinn took the breach +of promise case against." No, I couldn't stand that at +all. It would be a disgrace to the Murrays for ever. +I'm wondering now——(<i>He pauses lost in thought.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>alarmed</i>). John. Surely you wouldn't—you +couldn't think of going back on what you said to me. +Would you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> I wonder, Daniel, would you mind so much +after all if I married her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>in an agonised voice</i>). I couldn't stand it. +No, John, I couldn't stay. Any other woman but that +McMinn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>appearing at the door followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Alick +McCready</span>). Come on in, Alick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Good morning, Mr. Murray. How are you, +Mr. Dan? So you are back again? We're all glad to +have you back.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Thank you, Alick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father. Alick says he heard Andy McMinn +talking yesterday to some one at McArdle's shop, and +he was telling them all about the whole business, and +blaming it all on Uncle Dan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> And so the people are talking of me already? Now +that I come to think of it, it was your Uncle Dan, and a +brave ha'penny it's going to cost me. One thousand pounds.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Never mind, Mr. Murray. Maybe Uncle +Dan will do something yet. What about the bellows? +(<span class="smcap">Dan</span> <i>makes a horrified movement to stop</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span> <i>talking, +but too late.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. Here, Daniel. I'll make a bargain with +you. I'll leave you to the settling of the case, and you +can find the money yourself to pay for it if you want to. +And if you can't find the money, I'll marry her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Father, surely——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> What? That's enough about it. I would +as soon do without the marrying if I could. I don't +want the woman at all, but I'll marry her before she +gets a ha'penny off me. So you can settle it among +yourselves. You can take charge of that letter, Dan, +and make the best you can of it. (<i>He goes angrily out +by yard door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> This is a nice mess you put me in for, Alick. +What the divil made you mention the bellows?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I'm sorry, Mr. Dan. I wasn't thinking.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> The sooner you start and think a bit the better. +If you don't help to settle the case—(<i>he looks angrily +at</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span>)—well—I've a good deal of influence with +somebody. (<i>He looks significantly at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary,</span> <i>who is again +examining the parcel.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I'll do my best, Mr. Dan, to help you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What will we do, Uncle Dan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I suppose you've no money, Alick?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Well, I haven't much ready money, Mr. Dan, +but I could lend you up to twenty pounds at a pinch.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Twenty pounds would hardly be enough. +Would it, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Better get hold of Andy and ask him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I don't like going near that woman at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Alick! Could you not slip over and ask Andy +to come across? You know what the McMinns are like. +He'd come over for a shilling if he thought he'd get one. +Ah, yes. You will, Alick. Won't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> I'll go straight across now if you—if you——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> If you'd leave us along the road a bit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Aye. Do. Mary. Leave him down to the +gate anyway. I want to stay here and think over things +a wee bit. That't the good wee girl. (<i>He gently urges +her out with</i> <span class="smcap">Alick,</span> <i>then goes over to the table, lifts the +parcel, and sits down near the fireplace. Feeling the +parcel.</i>) I'm afraid, Dan Murray, it's all U. P. this +time. I'm afraid it is. (<i>Then an idea seems to dawn on +him, and he looks at the parcel.</i>) Unless—unless—well—I +wonder now if I—</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Brown</span> <i>enter through yard door.</i> <span class="smcap">Brown</span> +<i>is carrying a bucket filled with washed potatoes.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> There. Put it down there. You didn't know we +wanted that much, did you not? You're getting as big an +old liar as Mr.—(<i>She stops short on perceiving</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>looking up and then realising what had made +her pause</i>). Aye. Go on. As who do you say, woman?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>recovering herself</i>). Just as big an old liar as +Andy McMinn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Now, whist. The McMinns were aye decent +folk. (<i>He glances across at</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>, <i>who apparently is +not listening.</i>) They're near people, and all that sort of +thing, but once they say a thing they stick to it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> They're a lot of mean scrubs, the whole +caboosh of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>to himself</i>). I wonder would twenty pounds be +any use at all?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>nudging</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>slyly</i>). I believe that once Sarah +puts a price on a thing, like a pig or a sow, or a hen, the +divil himself couldn't beat her down in the price of it. +And Andy, they say, can beat the best dealer in the county +from here to the Mourne. (<span class="smcap">Daniel,</span> <i>who has been listening +uneasily, gets up and turns round to look at them.</i>) It's the +fine cigar that you were smoking, Mr. Daniel, this +morning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Cigar? Yes. Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. A fine cigar, sir. There was a grand +smell off it. I seen you coming up by the McMinns, +sir, this morning on the road from the station.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. On the road from the station.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> You didn't see them, but I noticed Andy +and Sarah coming out to the gate when you had passed +them and looking after you a long time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Is that so?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown.</span> Aye. A long time, sir. I suppose, like +myself, they smelled the cigar. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>at once throws +down the cigar in disgust.</i>) Mr. Andy, they say, is guy +fond of a good cigar, and I understand that he'll be for +getting a few boxes of them soon, for the sister, they say, +is coming into a lot of money.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Ach, you and your cigars! Will you get out +of this and quit tormenting people? Go on. Out you go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Brown</span> (<i>as if out of curiosity, picks up the cigar and +goes out slowly</i>).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> He's a very impertinent man that. Very worrisome.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Ach, never heed him, Mr. Dan! sure no one in +this house does. You'll be tired after travelling, sir. +Will I make you a drop of tea?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's hard to eat anything, Kate, when I'm +worried. (<i>Despairingly.</i>) I don't think there's another +man living that has the same worries as I have. Something +awful! Where's the pen and ink, I wonder?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> There's some here on the dresser, Miss Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +was using it to-day. (<i>She takes it over from the dresser +to the table.</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>rises and goes over and sits down +and begins slowly to write.</i>) Cheer up, Mr. Daniel. Sure +you sold the plans of the bellows anyway. Didn't you, +sir? They had word up at the McAleenans the other +night that you got two thousand for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>astonished</i>). Eh? They said that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye. To be sure. McAndless told McArdle, +and he told Smith the postman, and the postman told the +McAleenans, and said he had seen letters about it. And +McAleenan was up in McMinns the other night and told +them, and I believe you never saw such an astonished +crowd of people in all their lives.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> He told the McMinns that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye, last night I think it was.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Last night? (<i>He looks at the letter.</i>) Yesterday +was the 14th, wasn't it? Aye. It was. I wonder +did they believe McAleenan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> I don't think they know right what to make of +it. And yon Scotchman was there at the time, and mind +you, Mr. Dan, they say he looked quite serious when he +heard it, and said such things as that happened many's a +time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>incredulously</i>). Mackenzie said that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye. You know, I think it's maybe because +he has a wee notion of Miss Mary, sir.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's quite possible. Quite possible. A nice +wee girl is Mary. Fact, too good for the half of the clodhoppers +about these parts. (<i>He takes up the parcel, pen, +and ink, and paper, and goes across into the workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate</span> (<i>looking after him</i>). Poor creature. I'm feared +he's for the road again if he doesn't worry out some way +for himself. And God knows he's the one best fitted +for it. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>enters.</i>) Well, did you see him off comfortably?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Who?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Alick McCready.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Kate. I with you'd mind your own business.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> It's a sore time I have in this house minding +my own and every other bodies' business.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Kate. He said I couldn't bake a cake to save +my life. I'll just show him that I can, and you're not +to help me, mind you. I'm going to do it all myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Where's the flour?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> There's none in the house, Miss Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> You mind it was all used up this morning on +account of them cakes that nearly killed your poor ould da.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Go down to McArdles, Kate, and get a quarter +stone on account.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Your da told me this morning, Miss Mary, +that I wasn't to get any more from McArdles or any +other place unless he gives me an order for it. Do you +not mind?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>dejectedly</i>). So he did. I had forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye. Quite so, Miss. (<i>She sits down contentedly.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I wonder is Uncle Dan about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Aye. He's in his workshop, Miss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (going over and knocking at door of workshop). +Uncle Dan!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>appearing at door</i>). Well, Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan, could you give me sixpence?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>jumbling in his pockets</i>). Sixpence? Sixpence, +Mary? Bless your wee heart. Here. Here's a two +shilling bit. But Mary, mum's the word. Don't tell +John I gave it to you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No. Thank you, uncle. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>goes in +again.</i>) There, Kate, quick as you can and don't stop +to talk to anybody. Sure you won't? (<i>She hands</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>the money and takes up the recipe book.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> I'm not dirty looking—am I, Miss Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>absorbed in the book</i>). No. You'll do grand. +Flour, currants.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> Ach! You and your currants. Could you not +tell a body was her face clean?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> It's lovely. Hurry, Kate. (<span class="smcap">Kate</span> <i>shrugs her +shoulders disgustedly, and goes out by yard door.</i>) Flour, +currants——(<i>She goes over to the workshop door and listens</i>)—raisins—(<i>A +sound as of a blast blowing can be heard.</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> +<i>becomes intensely interested, and, throwing aside the book, +kneels down and puts her head to the keyhole.</i>) He's +actually got something to work. (<i>She peeps in.</i>) He +has, indeed. (<i>She laughs, knocks loudly at the door, and +then runs to the other side of the kitchen.</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>opens +the door and cautiously peeps out.</i>) Uncle Danny! Ha! +Ha! Uncle Danny! (<i>Dancing up and down in front +of the fireplace.</i>) Uncle Dan's a wonderful man! Uncle +Dan's a wonderful man!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>amazed</i>). What's all this?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I'm a cleverer girl than you think, Uncle Dan! +I know your great surprise. I've found it out. And +you've actually got it to work! That's splendid, uncle, +isn't it? Father will be awful proud when he hears +about it. And you did it all yourself, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, I took those plans, Mary, to a handy chap, +an acquaintance of mine, and he made it out according +to my design. I'm not sure—I think it works all right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> And did you get it sold, uncle?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span>. No, Mary, but I have hopes—great hopes. +(<i>He wanders up to the window apparently searching for the +screw driver.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Do you think you'd get more than one thousand +pounds for it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking out of window and seeing someone +approaching</i>). Don't know, Mary. Don't know. Very +hard to know these things. Where could that screw +driver be I wonder?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I think I saw father working with it last at +something in the parlour. Will I get it for you, Uncle +Dan? (<i>Knocking at door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No. Never mind, Mary. I'll get it myself. +There's someone at the door. You better open the door, +Mary. (<i>He goes off hurriedly to parlour.</i>) (<i>Knocking at +yard door.</i>) Come in. (<span class="smcap">Donal Mackenzie</span> <i>opens the +door and comes in.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Fine afternoon, Miss Murray.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>coldly</i>). Good day to you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I'm going off to Scotland verra soon, and +I thought I would call over to see you before I went off. +You're no angry, are you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> No. (<span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>seats himself at the table.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Did you get a post card?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I got some silly thing this morning that I tore up.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I'm sorry. I'm verra fond of you, Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Miss Murray, please.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> A girl like you is lost here, you know. +Now, if you were a Scotch lassie you would have a great +time enjoying yourself. In a place like Greenock we +have a theatre, and we have a music hall and a cinematograph +show on Saturdays and trains to Glasgow. You +could have a grand time in Scotland.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Do you really like me, Mr. Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Verra much. Indeed I—</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Well. Look here. I would like you very, +very much too, if you——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> If I what, bonnie Mary?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I'd even let you call me Mary, and write to +me if you wanted to, if you would do me a favour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> What's the favour?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan has brought home his fan bellows, +and it works.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>laughs</i>). The fan bellows! I think he'll +never make much of a fortune of his fan bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Do you ever examine new inventions?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Aye. I'm a specialist on that, you know. +I'm the writer of the inventions column in the +Scottish——</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes. Yes. That's all right. I know. Are +all the inventions you write about good things?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Eh? Ninety-nine per cent. rotten, lassie. +Ninety-nine per cent. perfectly rotten. People don't +invent a reciprocating piston that works every day in +the week, or a fan bellows either.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> But if you liked the inventor you could do him +a good turn all the same?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Aye. I did that often.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Then could you do a good turn for Uncle Dan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Give the bellows a boost up. No, Mary. +I could nae. I don't like to grieve you, but committing +perjury—No. I couldn't do it, Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>coming closer</i>). Yes. You would. You'd do +it for me. Won't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Eh?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Look. Uncle Dan has his new fan bellows +in that workshop. Go in and look at it, and if you do +like me really, you could tell the McMinns that it was +good—even if it wasn't quite perfect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>hesitatingly</i>). Um. I'll consider the +question.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>re-enters. He stops short on seeing</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span>, +<i>and seems to become very uncomfortable.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan! Mr. Mackenzie's going to +examine your bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> I don't allow everybody to go and look at it. +No. I refuse. It's my property and no one else's.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan. (<i>She looks at him meaningly.</i>) +Mr. Mackenzie has promised to give his opinion on it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> It's not protected yet by patent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Andy McMinn is coming over, Mr. +Murray. He has got orders from his sister to settle the +case for her. Are you going to pay the money?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> That is a matter of my own deciding. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> +<i>goes over to her uncle and whispers to him.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Verra well. I may go. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Mary.</span>) I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +would have done you that good turn, Miss Murray; but +there's no enmity between us. And (<i>lowering his voice</i>)—I +hope you get the best of the McMinns in the bargain. +Don't give in, Mr. Murray, easy. Take my tip. I'm +from the stables, you know. (<i>He laughs knowingly.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Here's Andy now (<i>she looks out through the +window</i>), and Alick's with him. (<i>She opens the door,</i> <span class="smcap">Andy +McMinn</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">McCready</span> <i>enter.</i> <span class="smcap">McCready</span> <i>glances at</i> +<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span>, <i>and goes over sulkily to the fireplace.</i> +<span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>advances awkwardly towards</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>genially</i>). Good afternoon, Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Good afternoon. (<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie,</span> +<i>who nods curtly.</i>) I suppose you know I've power to settle +the case.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, you wrote the letter, and so, in point +of law, I think it is you who should look after all this +unfortunate business. Believe me, Andy, I sympathise +with you. I do indeed. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>become +absorbed in conversation near the table.</i> <span class="smcap">Alick McCready</span> +<i>stands at the fireplace looking at them and unable to conceal +his jealousy, makes sundry odd noises to distract</i> <span class="smcap">Mary's</span> +<i>attention. She pretends not to hear him.</i>) I have your +letter here. (<i>He searches in his pocket and produces it.</i>) +Yes. One thousand pounds. Do you not think that +a trifle high?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Well. You know we could have as easily +claimed two thousand, but we didn't like to break you +altogether; so we just said that a thousand would come +pretty near it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Mr. Daniel, may I look at the bellows?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan, I'm sure you won't object. (<i>She +makes a gesture as if asking him to assent.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking hard at her, and then seeming to understand +what she is about</i>). Yes. Yes. I'll thrash out the +matter here with Andy. (<span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> <i>goes across into the +workshop, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Mary.</span> <span class="smcap">McCready</span> <i>sits down +disconsolately at the fireplace and begins to smoke his pipe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +moodily.</i>) A thousand pounds is impossible. Absolutely +out of the question.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready</span> (<i>to himself</i>). Ach. She only torments me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>looking over wonderingly</i>). Eh? People behave +strangely sometimes, Andy. Very strangely. (<span class="smcap">McCready</span> +<i>makes no response, but sits with his back to the two of them.</i>) +Just a moment, Andy. What about a wee drink. Eh, +Andy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye. Well, I wouldn't mind at all, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Just to show there's no ill-feeling over this +unfortunate business. (<i>He goes to the clock, opens the +panel door and takes out a bottle of whiskey, gets glasses +from the dresser and pours out a small portion of whiskey +into each.</i>) Good health, Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Good health, Daniel. (<i>They drink.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Now to go on with our business. I don't +think, in the first case, that this was an affaire de +coeur, as the Frenchmen say.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Eh?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> You don't understand French? Of course +not. No. It wasn't a love affair, I mean. I don't think +Sarah was in love with John, was she?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>hesitatingly</i>). Well—indeed, now, I don't know +that she was.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No. We're all aware of that. He was just +what we'd call a likely man. That's all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye. He would have been a good match for +her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. Quite so, Andy. He would have been +a good match for her. (<i>He makes notes in a pocket book.</i>) +Nothing like notes, Andy. Now, so much for the love +part of the business. They never exchanged letters?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> No. No letters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>writing</i>). No letters. Of course in a breach +of promise letters are a great help. A great help. I'm +very glad, however, just for your sister's sake, that she +never wrote any to John. Imagine them reading out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +love letters in the open court, and all the servant boys +gaping and laughing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> It's not nice, right enough. It's one thing I +wouldn't like.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No. It's one thing we would not like. Well. +No love. No letters. Next thing. He never courted her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Well, he came over and sat in the house a few +nights.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. No doubt. But hadn't he always +some message on business to transact with you? Loan +of a plough or a horse, or something like that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>uneasily</i>). That's so, of course.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Ah, yes. That's so, of course.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> But I seen him with his arm round her the +night of the social at the school house.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Andy. That's a wee failing of John's. I +often warned him about doing that sort of thing indiscriminately. +A bit of a ladies' man, John, in his way. +I saw him do the same nonsense four or five times that +night with other girls. John likes to think himself a +bit of a gay dog, you know. It's not right—I don't think +myself it's a bit proper to put your arm round a girl's +waist on every occasion, but sometimes it's quite allowable. +A night like a social, for instance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Aye. Of course a social's different.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Aye, Andy, a social's different. Well, now. +No love, no letters, no courting, no photographs +exchanged? (<i>He looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>inquiringly</i>). No photographs +exchanged? (<i>He notes it down.</i>) No ring? +In fact, Andy, no nothing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> But he proposed to her right enough.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Who said so?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>astonished</i>). What? Do you mean to deny +he didn't?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> My dear Andy, I don't know. There was no +one there but the two, I suppose, when he asked her—if +he did ask her. There's only her word for it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> He wouldn't deny it himself?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well. That depends on whether he really asked +her to marry him of course. And it's likely enough +that John would be inclined to deny it if his memory was at +all bad—it is a bad memory he has, you know. He forgets +often to return your ploughs and that sort of thing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>blankly</i>). Aye. He has a bad memory.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes. Just so. And the fact that a verdict +of one thousand pounds would hang on it would hardly +make it any better. Would it? You've a bad case +against us, Andy. A rotten case! In fact, looking over +the whole thing carefully, do you really believe you'd +make even a ten pound note out of us?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>despairingly</i>). I wish Sarah had come and settled +the case herself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Ah, no. You've a better head, Andy, for +seeing the sensible side of a thing, far better. (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> +<i>comes out of the workshop smiling gaily.</i>) Well?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Uncle Dan, he's delighted with it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> What with? The bellows?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Yes. Go in, Andy, till you see it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Is it true, Daniel, you were offered two +thousand for it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> We'll just go in and have a look at it. (<span class="smcap">Andy</span> +<i>and he go into workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>looking across at</i> <span class="smcap">Alick</span>). What's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Nothing. I'm going home. (<i>He goes across +to the yard door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Alick!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready.</span> Goodbye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> And I was going to go to all the trouble of +baking a big plum cake for you, you big ungrateful thing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready</span> (<i>stopping at the door</i>). I know what your +plum cakes would be like. (<i>He opens the door and stops +again before going out.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Well, get that big, ugly Maggie Murphy to +bake them for you then.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">McCready</span> (<i>looking out through door and then coming +inside again</i>). I say, here's Kate and your father coming +and a load of flour.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>in a frightened voice</i>). Kate and father?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready.</span> He seems to be in a bit of a temper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>in a frightened voice</i>). He's caught her with the +flour!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready</span> (<i>laughing</i>). Flour? Aye—she's carrying +about three stone of it! Boys, but that would make a +powerful pudding!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> It was to have been the nicest one I could +have baked.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready</span> (<i>coming in and going over to her</i>). Mary.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">McCready.</span> You wouldn't come to my house where +there would be no stint of flour or raisins or anything +else, and I'd eat all you cooked for me no matter if I was +dying after it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Go to your house!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alick.</span> Aye. Look here, wee girl. I got this——(<i>He +fumbles and produces a ring.</i>) Let me put that on +your wee finger, won't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> Oh, Alick, what a lovely wee ring. (<i>She allows +him to put it on her finger, and is shyly kissing him when</i> +<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>enters, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Kate,</span> <i>who is trying vainly to +stop a leak in the bag of flour which she is carrying.</i> <span class="smcap">Kate</span> +<i>goes to the dresser and places the bag on it.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>severely to</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). Mary. Did you send her +for more flour?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>meekly</i>). Yes, father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> And didn't I leave word there was no more to be +got without my orders? (<span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>hangs her head.</i>) It's +lamentable the waste in this house! I was just looking at +the pass book last night, and you'd think this house was +a bakery to see the amount of flour comes into it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>submissively</i>). I'm sorry, father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> When I was out on the road, I seen a trail of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +flour leading up our loaning, and says I to myself, Jeminy' +father, are they getting some more! So I followed up the +mark and just caught up on her coming through the gate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>a little defiantly</i>). It's paid for, Kate, anyway. +Isn't it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Kate.</span> It is, Miss. (<i>She busies herself putting the flour +into a box, and then slips out during the next speech.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Eh? Who give you the money?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>going over to her father and whispering</i>). Uncle +Dan is in there, father, with Andy McMinn and Mr. +Mackenzie, the Scotch engineer, looking at his bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>amazed</i>). Eh? Andy McMinn? Is Dan +settling the case?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I believe he'll do it yet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>admiringly</i>). He has a great head on him, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>coming out of workshop and going over +to</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). Mary, I'm sorry. That bellows is such an +absolutely rotten thing—so useless and so absolutely +rotten that I can't—(<i>He sees</i> <span class="smcap">John.</span>) How are you, Mr. +Murray?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Fine day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary</span> (<i>appealingly</i>). Mr. Mackenzie, what did you say +to Andy about it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> What did I say? Oh, ma perjured +conscience—I said it was a grand thing. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>and</i> +<span class="smcap">Andy McMinn</span> <i>come in from workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>nervously</i>). Brave day, John.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye. It is.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> Sarah gave me power to settle the case.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> I'm glad to hear it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I tell you what it is, Mr. Daniel Murray. +It's a good thing that—a right good thing, and I'll make +you an offer for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>eagerly</i>). What's it worth?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>with a look at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). It's worth—it's +worth more than all the damages your sister will get +from Mr. Murray.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p><p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> (<i>suddenly</i>). I tell you what it is, Andy, and +believe me when I tell you, I'm sacrificing a great deal. +I'll make a deal with you. Instead of a lump sum cash +down, I'll hand over all the rights and royalties of that +same bellows to you to settle the case.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>dubiously</i>). I—I don't know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> You will have all the expense of the law, the +bad name that your sister will be having over the head +of being in a breach of promise, and all the expenses of +solicitors and lawyers. Then, after that, trying to get +the money out of us, and, mind you, we will fight you +to the last ditch. Won't we, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> Aye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> There now. What do you say, Mr. +Mackenzie?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I tell you what it is, Mr. Murray. I'll +make you an offer for——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>hastily</i>). I'll take your offer, Daniel.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> One second. I drew up a wee agreement +for you to sign, and I'll fetch the bellows. (<i>He goes into +the workshop.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> I don't like signing my name to agreements +or things like that unless I'm quite certain they're all +right, Mr. Mackenzie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie</span> (<i>with a sly look at</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span>). Well, if you have +any compunction about signing, I'll do it myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary.</span> I think Uncle Dan's a fool to throw away the +thing that way. I do indeed. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>comes out with +the parcel and the pen, ink and paper.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Just sign your name to that, Andy. It's a +sort of agreement to settle the case—you can read it +for yourself. (<i>He hands a sheet of paper to</i> <span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>with the +pen.</i>) It's to show that the whole thing is fixed up to +the satisfaction of everybody. (<span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>looks at it and then +signs.</i>) Ah. Good! Now, Alick, and you, Mr. +Mackenzie, just witness it and the date. (<i>They both +sign.</i>) And now, Andy, there's your bellows. (<span class="smcap">Andy</span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +<i>looks at it, and then takes it under his arm.</i>) And may +you have the best of luck with it. (<span class="smcap">Andy</span> <i>looks wonderingly +at the parcel in his arms and moves slowly towards the door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> Noo, my reward, Miss Murray—Mary +rather. (<i>He goes forward and she stretches out her hand for +him to shake, when he notices the ring, and stops short.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John.</span> I hope you're satisfied, Andy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> I'm just wondering, Mr. Mackenzie, do you +think——</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mackenzie.</span> I think nothing for a year. I'll—I'll—I'm +for Scotland in the morning. (<i>He goes out morosely +through the door.</i>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> There, Andy. There's company home for +you, and good luck to you. It's a sad heart I'll have this +night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> I'm wondering what Sarah would say—(<i>He +goes to the door.</i>) Ach! She couldn't do better herself. +No courting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No. No courting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> And no love and no letters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> No. No love and no letters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy.</span> And no ring nor nothing, and a thousand +pound bellows.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Yes, Andy. And a thousand pound bellows. +(<i>He wanders out abstractedly.</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>follows him to the +door and shouts after him</i>)—Goodbye, Andy. And may +you have the best of luck with it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Andy</span> (<i>without</i>). Thank ye, Daniel. Goodbye. (<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> +<i>closes the door after him and looks sadly but triumphantly +across at</i> <span class="smcap">John.</span> <span class="smcap">Alick</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Mary</span> <i>go to the window +together and look out after</i> <span class="smcap">Andy.</span>)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span> Well, John?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>with a sigh of intense relief and gratitude</i>). Dan, +I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you've a great +head on you, Daniel.</p> + +<p class="center">(<span class="smcap">Curtain.</span>)</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DRONE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20176-h.txt or 20176-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/7/20176">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/7/20176</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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