Where There is Nothing Part 5

_Charlie Ward._ Faith, you haven't far to go to find one. Paddy there will give you over his wife quick enough; he won't make a hard bargain over her.

_Paul Ruttledge._ But I am in earnest. I want to cut myself off from my old life.

_Charlie Ward._ Oh! I was forgetting that.

_Sabina Silver._ [_To_ MOLLY.] I wonder what was it he did? I wonder had he the misfortune to kill anybody?

_Charlie Ward._ [_Calling_ SABINA _over._] Here's a girl should make a good wife, Sabina Silver her name is. Her father is just dead; he didn't treat her over well.

_Sabina Silver._ [_Coming over._] What is it?

_Charlie Ward._ This gentleman wants to speak to you. I think he's looking out for a wife.

_Sabina Silver._ [_Hanging her head._] Don't be humbugging me.

_Paul Ruttledge._ Indeed he's not, Sabina.

_Sabina Silver._ You're only joking a poor girl. Sure, what would make you think of me at all?

_Paul Ruttledge._ Sabina, have you been always on the road with Charlie Ward and the others?

_Sabina Silver._ I have, indeed.

_Paul Ruttledge._ And you'd make a good tinker's wife?

_Sabina Silver._ You're joking me, but I would be a better wife for a tinker than for anyone else.

_Paul Ruttledge._ Sabina, will you marry me?

_Sabina Silver._ Oh! but I'd be afraid.

_Paul Ruttledge._ Why, Sabina?

_Sabina Silver._ I'd be afraid you'd beat me.

_Charlie Ward._ You see her father used to beat her. She's afraid of the look of a man now.

_Paul Ruttledge._ I would not beat you, Sabina. How can you have got such an idea?

_Sabina Silver._ Will you promise me that you won't beat me? Will you swear it to me?

_Paul Ruttledge._ Of course I will.

_Sabina Silver._ [_To_ CHARLIE WARD.] Will you make him swear it?

Haven't you a little book in your pack? Bring it out and make him swear to me on it, and you'll be my witness.

_Charlie Ward._ I think, Sibby, you need not be afraid.

_Sabina Silver._ What's your name, gentleman?

_Paul Ruttledge._ My name is Paul. Do you like it?

_Sabina Silver._ Then I won't marry you, Mr. Paul, till you swear to me upon the book that you will never beat me with any stick that you could call a stick, and that you will never strike a kick on me from behind.

_Paul Ruttledge._ Charlie, go and bring out that book to satisfy her. Of course I swear that; it is absurd.

[CHARLIE WARD _brings the book out of his pack._

_Paul Ruttledge._ I swear, Sabina, that I will never strike you with any stick of any kind, and that I will never kick you. There, will that do?

[_He takes book and kisses it._

_Sabina Silver._ I mis...o...b.. you. Kiss the book again. [PAUL RUTTLEDGE _kisses it._

_Charlie Ward._ That's all right.

_A Child._ [_Crying from a distance._] He's coming now, the priest's coming!

_Paul Ruttledge._ Then the priest will marry us. That comes in very handy.

_Charlie Ward._ [_Scornfully._] A priest marry you, indeed he'll do nothing of the kind. I hate priests and friars. It's unlucky to get talking to them at all. You never know what trouble you're in for.

_A Child._ [_Coming up._] That's true, indeed. The last time I spoke to a priest it's what he leathered me with a stick; may the divil fly away with him.

_Paul Ruttledge._ But somebody must marry us.

_Charlie Ward._ Of course. You'll lep over the tinker's budget the usual way. You'll just marry her by lepping over the budget the same as the rest of us marry.

_Paul Ruttledge._ That's all I want to know. Please marry me in whatever is your usual way.

JEROME _enters, leading the a.s.s. He carries a pig's cheek, some groceries, a string of onions, etc., on the a.s.s, which still has its nursery trappings. He goes up to_ CHARLIE WARD _thinking he is_ PAUL RUTTLEDGE.

_Jerome._ Paul, what are you doing here?

_Charlie Ward._ [_Turning._] What do you want?

_Jerome._ Oh! I'm mistaken. I thought----

_Paul Ruttledge._ I am here, Father Jerome, but you're talking to the wrong man.

_Jerome._ Good G.o.d, Paul, what has happened?

_Paul Ruttledge._ Nothing has happened that need surprise you. Don't you remember what we talked of to-day? You told me I was too much by myself.

After you went away I thought I would make a change.

_Jerome._ But a change like this!