Seven Short Plays Part 27

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Taking Nestor's arm._) Get it back for me I tell you! There it is above in the ash tree, and it flapping its wings on a bough!

_Nestor:_ Give me the cage, if that will content you, and I will strive to entice it to come in.

_c.o.o.ney:_ (_Coming in._) Everyone running this way and that way. It is for birds they are looking sure enough. Why now would they go through such hards.h.i.+p if there was not a demand in some place?

_Nestor:_ (_Pus.h.i.+ng him away._) Let me go now before that bird will quit the branch where it is.

_c.o.o.ney:_ (_Seizing hold of him._) Is it striving to catch a bird for yourself you are now?

_Nestor:_ Let me pa.s.s if you please. I have nothing to say to you at all.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Laying down to me they were worth nothing! I knew well you had made up some plan! The grand adviser is it! It is to yourself you gave good advice that time!

_Nestor:_ Let me out I tell you before that uproar you are making will drive it from its perch on the tree.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Is it to rob me of my own money you did and to be keeping me out of the money I earned along with it!

(_Threatens Nestor with "Moore's Almanac," which he has picked up._)

_Sibby:_ Take care would there be murder done in this place!

(_She seizes Nestor, Mrs. Broderick seizes c.o.o.ney. Tommy Nally wrings his hands._)

_Nestor:_ Tommy Nally, will you kindly go and call for the police.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Is it into a den of wild beasts I am come that must go calling out for the police?

_Nestor:_ A very unmannerly person indeed!

_c.o.o.ney:_ Everyone thinking to take advantage of me and to make their own trap for my ruin.

_Nestor:_ I don't know what cause has he at all to have taken any umbrage against me.

_c.o.o.ney:_ You that had your eye on my notes from the first like a goat in a cabbage garden!

_Nestor:_ Coming with a gift in the one hand and holding a dagger in the other!

_c.o.o.ney:_ If you say that again I will break your collar bone!

_Nestor:_ O, but you are the terrible wicked man!

_c.o.o.ney:_ I'll squeeze satisfaction out of you if I had to hang for it! I will be well satisfied if I'll kill you!

(_Flings "Moore's Almanac" at him._)

_Nestor:_ (_Throwing his bundle of newspapers._) Oh, good jewel!

_Ward:_ (_Coming in hastily._) Whist the whole of you, I tell you! The Magistrates are coming to the door! (_Comes in and shuts it after him._)

_Mrs. Broderick:_ The Lord be between us and harm! What made them go quit the Court?

_Ward:_ The whole of the witnesses and of the prosecution made off bird-catching. The Magistrates sent to invite the great mine-owner to go lunch at Noonan's with themselves.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Horses of their own to stick him with they have. I wouldn't doubt them at all.

_Ward:_ He could not be found in any place. They are informed he was never seen leaving this house. They are coming to make an investigation.

_Nestor:_ Don't be anyway uneasy. I will explain the whole case.

_Ward:_ The police along with them....

_c.o.o.ney:_ Is the whole of this district turned into a trap?

_Ward:_ It is what they are thinking, that the stranger was made away with for his gold!

_c.o.o.ney:_ And if he was, as sure as you are living, it was done by that blackguard there!

(_Points at Nestor._)

_Ward:_ If he is not found they will arrest all they see upon the premises....

_c.o.o.ney:_ It is best for me to quit this.

(_Goes to door._)

_Ward:_ Here they are at the door. Sergeant Carden along with them.

Hide yourself, Mr. Nestor, if you've anyway to do it at all.

(_Sounds of feet and talking and knock at the door. c.o.o.ney hides under counter. Nestor lies down on top of bench, spreads his newspaper over him. Mrs. Broderick goes behind counter._)

_Nestor:_ (_Raising paper from his face and looking out._) Tommy Nally, I will give you five s.h.i.+llings if you will draw "t.i.t-Bits" over my feet.

_Curtain_

THE WORKHOUSE WARD

PERSONS

_Mike McInerney_ } PAUPERS _Michael Miskell_ } _Mrs. Donohoe_, A COUNTRYWOMAN

THE WORKHOUSE WARD