The Turn of the Road Part 13

MRS. GRANAHAN.

You're no rid o' that yet William Granahan. Ye mind what way ye come home last Bann Fair on top o' the bread cart.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Slily.]

Yis. And the way the Scarva man done him out o' the price o' the two pigs.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

That's one thing I can't get over. Was it in a public house ye met him?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

There. There. Thats enough to do about it. I hear enough about drinkin' from John Graeme every session day without you etarnally at it.

[Robbie John and Grandfather enter. They evidently understand from the looks of those present that something important is talked of.]

Where's that fiddle of yours Robbie John? Bring it to me.

[Robbie John looks curiously at him and then at Samuel James. He goes into room and brings it out. He holds it in his hands and looks suspiciously at the father.]

Now Robbie John listen to what I and your mother have thought about this. For our sake and your own we want you to give up that accursed thing and put it from you.

ROBBIE JOHN.

Why? What harm does it do you or me?

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

It makes you negleck your work. It makes you think o' things you shouldn't think o'. It makes you loss slape o' nights sitting up an playin' and then you can't rise in the mornin'. When you should be polissin the harness, or mendin' a ditch, or watchin' the cattle, or feedin' the poultry, you've got this thing in your hand and practisin'

on it.

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Indignantly.]

Its not true. I don't do these things. I--

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

Now will you atten' to your duties and give up this playin'. What good will it ever do ye? Ye seen what it brought yon man till that was in here. It's a tarrible warnin' till ye.

ROBBIE JOHN.

The fiddle didn't make him what he is. The drink did that.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Scornfully.]

Aye. The leader of an ould circus band or somethin' like.

[Getting excited.]

I'd just do wi that as I'd do with a sarpint. Trample it under my heels.

ROBBIE JOHN.

[Threateningly.]

Dare to put a hand on it. I'll kill the first man tries to.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Angrily.]

You dar' talk that way to your father!

[Soothingly.]

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Now Robbie dear. Don't be gettin' on that way.

GRANDFATHER.

Robbie my son mind what I was tellin' ye. Its better to bear it if you can my son. Its a hard thing but you can take my word for it, you'll no regret it.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Sadly.]