The Turn of the Road Part 16

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Two poun' ten is due.

[Thinking.]

Aye. But I suppose you'll be now in what I would call a good way o'

doin'.

TAYLOR.

There was a five per cent. dividend this half year. The creamery's goin' on well.

[Searching in pocket and getting out account.]

Two pounds, nine and six, ma'am, beggin' your pardon.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Ach sure sixpence is naither here nor there to a creamery.

[Pauses.]

If that's the way you are, you could be married in a year's time and--

TAYLOR.

[Evidently desirous to lead conversation off this topic.]

Here's the money, ma'am.

[He lays it down on the table and counts it out.]

You'll do as well as Mr. Granahan, I suppose. You take all to do with the money part I think.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Yes I do. You were at the lecture last Monday?

TAYLOR.

[Alarmed.]

What the divil--

[Suddenly to Mrs. Granahan and genially.]

Yes. Could you oblige me with a receipt ma'am?

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Surely. Here Ellen, get me the pen and ink.

[Ellen goes into room.]

I suppose now there were some nice young weemin there--eh Mr. Taylor?

TAYLOR.

[Uneasily.]

Yes. And don't forget the stamp ma'am.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Ach sure a penny stamp's what you always carry wi' ye.

[Confidentially.]

I think shame on ye Mr. Taylor, triflin' wi' the poor girls. There's no excuse for a man o' your age.

TAYLOR.

[Fidgeting.]

Well, well, I--Here's a stamp ma'am.

[Impatiently.]

I'm young enough yet. I don't want to marry yet awhile.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Well now I think ye'd be better o' some one to look after ye. There's William John Granahan. _He's_ niver done bein' thankful since he married. He says he doesn't know what he mightn't ha' been, if he hadn't married _me_.

TAYLOR.