Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry Part 26

MATT I'm fond of her, Martin. She couldn't go, and I so fond of her.

What am I doing here? I should be making it up with her. What good will anything be if Ellen Douras goes? _(He turns to the door, then stops)_ I came to settle with him. I mustn't be running about like a frightened child.

_The room door opens, and Murtagh Cosgar is seen. Sally has hung a pot over the fire, and is cleaning the dishes at the dresser_.

MURTAGH COSGAR _(at the room door)_ Sally, it's time to be putting on the meal. If you have any cabbage left, put it through the meal.

_(To Matt)_ You put the thong in the harness?

MATT I did _(pause)_ Well, I've come back to you.

MURTGAH COSGAR You're welcome. We were making ready for the fair.

MATT I'll be going out again before nightfall.

MURTAGH COSGAR I'll not be wanting you here, or at the fair.

MATT _(sullenly)_ There's no good talking to me like that.

MURTAGH COSGAR You said, "I've come back," and I said, "you're welcome." You said, "I'm going out again," and I said, "I'll not be wanting you."

MATT Father, have you no feeling for me at all?

MURTAGH COSGAR Sure the wild raven on the tree has thought for her young.

MATT Ay, but do you feel for me, and I standing here, trying to talk to you?

MURTAGH COSGAR You're my son, and so I feel sorry for you; and you beginning to know your own foolishness. _(He turns to Sally)_ I'm not taking the pigs. Put a fresh bedding under them to-night.

SALLY I will, father.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be up early, and let the cows along the road, or they'll be breaking into the young meadow.

SALLY I'll do that, too.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be sure to keep enough fresh milk for the young calf.

SALLY I'll be sure to do it, father.

_She goes out. Martin takes out his paper, and begins to read it again_.

MATT _(turning on Murtag)_ Before I go out again there's something I want settled.

MURTAGH COSGAR What is it you want?

MATT Would you have me go, or would you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR Don't be talking of going or staying, and you the last of them.

MATT But I will be talking of it. You must treat me differently if you want me to stay. You must treat me differently to the way you treat Sally.

MURTAGH COSGAR You were always treated differently, Matt. In no house that ever I remember was there a boy treated as well as you are treated here.

MATT The houses that you remember are different from the houses that are now. Will you have me go, or will you have me stay?

MURTAGH COSGAR You're very threatening. I'd have you stay. For the sake of the name, I'd have you stay.

MATT Let us take hands on it, then.

MURTAGH COSGAR Wait, we'll see what you want first.

MATT You have no feeling. I'd go out of this house, only I want to give you a chance.

MURTAGH COSGAR Stop. We can have kindness in this. We needn't be beating each other down, like men at a fair.

MATT We're not men at a fair. May G.o.d keep the kindness in our hearts.

_Martin rises_.

MURTAGH COSGAR Don't be going, Martin Douras.

MATT Don't be going yet. I'll be with you, when you're going.

_Martin sits down_.

MURTAGH COSGAR _(to Matt)_ You'll be getting married, I suppose, if you stay?

MATT Maybe I will.

MURTAGH COSGAR _(bitterly)_ In the houses that are now, the young marry where they have a mind to. It's their own business, they say.

MATT Maybe it is their own business. I'm going to marry Ellen Douras, if she'll have me.

MURTAGH COSGAR Ellen is a good girl, and clever, I'm told. But I would not have you deal before you go into the fair.

MATT I'm going to marry Ellen Douras.

MURTAGH COSGAR Her father is here, and we can settle it now. What fortune will you be giving Ellen, Martin? That 100 pounds that was saved while you were in Maryborough gaol?

_Martin shakes his head_.

MATT _(stubbornly)_ I'm going to marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR _(pa.s.sionately)_ Boy, your father built this house.

He got these lands together. He has a right to see that you and your generations are in the way of keeping them together.

MATT I'll marry Ellen Douras, with or without a fortune.

MURTAGH COSGAR Marry her, then. Marry Ellen Douras.