Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry Part 2

CONN Listen, Brian, I've a reason for not going to Flynn's. Would you believe it, Brian, Flynn spoke to me about the few s.h.i.+llings I owe him?

BRIAN That was shabby of him. He got a lot out of you in the way of playing.

CONN It's just like them. Besides, Maire keeps us tight enough, and I often have to take treats from the men. They're drovers and rambling labourers and the like, though, as you say, they've the song and music, and the proper talk. Listen, Brian, could you leave a few s.h.i.+llings on the dresser for me?

BRIAN To be sure I will, Conn.

_Brian goes to the dresser, and puts money on a shelf_.

CONN _(with dignity)_ Thank you, Brian. There's few I'd let put me under a compliment; but I take it from you. Maire, as I said, is a careful girl, but some of us must have our freedom. Besides, Brian, the bird that sings lone sings slow. The man of art must have his listeners. _(Conn takes the money off dresser)_ Anne, daughter, what's keeping you there? Sure the spectacles were in my pocket the whole time, child. _(Anne comes dawn)_ When I spoke against the people about here, I was leaving you out of it, Brian.

BRIAN I'm fond of tune, though it wasn't here I got fond of it.

_Brian goes to the door_.

ANNE _(going to Brian)_ You won't be rambling again, Brian?

BRIAN I'm settled here, Anne; I made it up with my brothers.

ANNE They used to say that a MacConnell quarrel was a lasting quarrel.

BRIAN Maybe we're working the bad blood out of us.

ANNE Don't be staying out long, Brian.

BRIAN Till Maire gives me the call.

_Brian MacConnell goes out_.

ANNE We oughtn't to take another clay from Brian MacConnell. There's only the patch at the back to be mown, and you could do that yourself.

CONN You can depend on me for the mowing. I'm going up now, to go over an oul' tune I have.

ANNE James Moynihan would come over and stack for us.

CONN James Moynihan is a decent boy, too.

ANNE You won't be going out to-night, father?

CONN Now, how's a man to know what he'll be doing?

ANNE It leaves me very anxious.

CONN I'll give you this advice, and it's proper advice to give to a girl thinking of marrying. Never ask of your menkind where they're going.

ANNE The like of that brings bad luck on a house.

CONN You have too much dead knowledge, and the shut fist never caught a bird.

ANNE I only wish you were settled down.

CONN Sure I am settled down.

ANNE I can't speak to you, after all.

CONN You're a good girl, Anne, and he'll be lucky that gets you. And don't be grieving that you're not bringing James Moynihan a fortune.

You're bringing him the decency of birth and rearing. You're like the lone pigeon I often think--the pet that doesn't fly, and keeps near the house.

ANNE That's the way you always treat me, and I never can talk to you.

CONN _(at window)_ Hush now, here's the other, your sister Maire.

She's like the wild pigeon of the woods. _(Maire Hourican comes in)_ We were discoursing on affairs, Maire. We won't be bringing Brian MacConnell here tomorrow; there's only the bit at the back to be mown, and I'll do that myself.

_Conn Hourican goes into the room right; soon after the fiddle is heard. Anne goes to the settle, and takes up her knitting. Maire takes her shawl off, and hangs it on the rack. Maire Hourican is over twenty. She is tall, and has easy, graceful movements; her features are fine and clear-cut; the nose is rather blunted, the mouth firm. Her gaze is direct and clear. She has heavy auburn hair, loose now, and falling. Maire comes down to the table, opens basket, and takes some flowers from top. She turns to dresser and arranges some of the flowers in a jar_.

MAIRE We'd have no right to take another day from Brian. And when there's no one here to-morrow, you and me could draw some of the turf.

ANNE Your hair is loose, Maire.

_Maire goes to the mirror and fixes her hair_.

MAIRE The wind blew it about me, and then I let it down. I came home by the long way, just to feel young again with my hair about me.

ANNE And did you meet any one?

MAIRE Indeed I did. I met James Moynihan.

ANNE James had to go early. They're building at his place.

MAIRE Indeed they ought to let James build a house for himself. ANNE Some day they will, Maire.

MAIRE But we must not let some day be a far day.

ANNE _(hesitatingly)_ I think I'll show you something.

MAIRE What is it, daughter?

_Anne rises and goes to the dresser. She opens drawer. Maire watches her_.

MAIRE _(waiting)_ I made a good girl out of you, anyway.

ANNE You wouldn't let me use stroller words when we were on the road.

Do you mind of that?

MAIRE I kept you to the mannerly ways. I have that to my credit.

ANNE _(showing Maire the verses)_ Read that, Maire. It was James that made it.