Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry Part 36

ANNA _(imitating an accent)_ Send up a pound of b.u.t.ter, two pounds of sugar, and a pound of tea.

MRS. CRILLY These people are paying n.o.body. But we can't refuse her.

I suppose we'll have to send them up. Be very distant with her, Anna.

ANNA I've kept her waiting. Here's a letter, mother.

MRS. CRILLY _(taking letter)_ When did it come, Anna?

ANNA It's just handed in.

_Anna goes out. Mrs. Crilly opens letter_.

MRS. CRILLY It's from the bank. They want me to call. What does the bank manager want with me, I wonder?

CRILLY I have something to tell you, Marianne. I'll tell you in a while. _(He takes a turn up and down)_

MRS. CRILLY What do you want to tell me?

CRILLY Prepare your mind, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY What is it?

CRILLY I owe you money, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY Money! How do you owe me money?

CRILLY That cute boy, James Covey, who took in all the town--

MRS. CRILLY _(rising)_ Covey! My G.o.d! You backed a bill for him?

CRILLY I'll make a clean breast of it. I did.

MRS. CRILLY _(with fear in her eyes)_ How much is it?

CRILLY _(walking away to window)_ I'll come to that, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY Did any one back the bill with you?

CRILLY I obliged the fellow. No one backed the bill with me.

MRS. CRILLY Does any one know of it?

CRILLY No, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY The bank.... Tell me what happened.

CRILLY The bank manager sent for me when he came to the town after Covey cleared.

MRS. CRILLY We had four hundred pounds in the bank.

CRILLY We had, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY Tell me how much was the bill.

CRILLY There's no use in beating about the bush. The bill was for three hundred pounds.

MRS. CRILLY And what has the bank done?

CRILLY I'm sorry to say, Marianne, the bank has taken the money over from our account.

MRS. CRILLY You've ruined us at last, Crofton Crilly.

CRILLY You should never forgive me, Marianne. I'll go to America and begin life again. _(He turns to go out by shop)_

MRS. CRILLY We have no money left.

CRILLY A hundred pounds, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY That's Anna's money.

CRILLY Scollard should be satisfied.

MRS. CRILLY Anna insists on getting her money.

CRILLY Very well, Marianne. I'll leave it all to yourself.

_James Scollard comes in. Anna is behind him. Scollard has an account book in his hand_.

SCOLLARD Good morning, Mrs. Crilly. Good morning, Mr. Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY Good morning, Mr. Scollard.

_Crofton Crilly turns to go_.

ANNA Don't go, father.

SCOLLARD Don't go, Mr. Crilly. I have something particular to say to yourself and Mrs. Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY Sit down, Mr. Scollard.

_Anna brings chair, and Scollard sits center. Anna stands behind him.

Mrs. Crilly sits left of him_.

SCOLLARD I am here to propose for the hand of your daughter, Miss Anna Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY We have nothing to say against your proposal, Mr. Scollard.

CRILLY Won't you take something, James?