Three Plays: The Fiddler's House, The Land, Thomas Muskerry Part 27

MATT Now, Martin, we mustn't let an hour pa.s.s without going to her.

_(He takes Martin's arm, and they go to the door)_

MURTAGH COSGAR Marry Ellen Douras, I bid you. Break what I have built, scatter what I have put together. That is what all the young will be doing,

_Ellen Douras comes to the door as Matt and Martin reach it_.

MATT Ellen!

_She shrinks back_.

ELLEN It's my father I came to speak to.

MURTAGH COSGAR _(going to the door, and drawing the bolt from the half-door)_ When you come to my house, Ellen Douras, you are welcome within.

_Ellen comes in_,

ELLEN It's right that I should speak to you all. Matt Cosgar, I am going from here.

MATT Ellen, Ellen, don't be saying that. Don't be thinking of the few words between us. It's all over now. Father agrees to us marrying.

Speak, father, and let her hear yourself say it.

ELLEN I can't go into a farmer's house.

MATT You said that out of pa.s.sion. Don't keep your mind on it any longer.

ELLEN It's true, it's true. I can't go into a farmer's house. This place is strange to me.

MATT How can you talk like that? I'm always thinking of you.

ELLEN I've stayed here long enough. I want my own way; I want to know the world.

MATT If you go, how will I be living, day after day? The heart will be gone out of me.

MURTAGH COSGAR You'll be owning the land, Matt Cosgar.

MATT _(pa.s.sionately)_ I've worked on the land all my days. Don't talk to me about it now.

_Ellen goes to Martin. Murtagh goes up to the door, and then turns and speaks_.

MURTAGH COSGAR Listen to me, Matt Cosgar; and you listen too, Ellen Douras. It's a new house you want maybe. This house was built for me and my generations; but I'll build a new house for you both. It's hard for a man to part with his land before the hour of his death; and it's hard for a man to break his lands; but I'll break them, and give a share of land to you.

ELLEN You were never friendly to me; but you have the high spirit, and you deserve a better daughter than I would make. The land and house you offer would be a drag on me. _(She goes to the door)_

MATT Ellen, what he offers is nothing, after all; but I care for you.

Sure you won't go from me like that?

ELLEN Oh, can't you let me go?

I care for you as much as I care for any one. But it's my freedom I want.

MATT Then you're going surely?

ELLEN I am. Good-bye.

_She goes out, Martin follows her. Matt stands dazed. Murtagh closes the door, then goes and takes Matt's arm, and brings him down_.

MURTAGH COSGAR Be a man. We offered her everything, and she went.

There's no knowing what the like of her wants. The men will be in soon, and we'll drink to the new owners.h.i.+p.

MATT Oh, what's the good in talking about that now? If Ellen was here, we might be talking about it.

MURTAGH COSGAR To-morrow you and me might go together. Ay, the bog behind the meadow is well drained by this, and we might put the plough over it. There will be a fine, deep soil in it, I'm thinking.

Don't look that way, Matt, my son.

MATT When I meet Ellen Douras again, it's not a farmer's house I'll be offering her, nor life in a country place.

MURTAGH COSGAR No one could care for you as I care for you. I know the blood between us, and I know the thoughts I had as I saw each of you grow up.

_Matt moves to the door_.

MURTAGH COSGAR Where are you going?

MATT To see the boys that are going away.

MURTAGH COSGAR Wait till the fall and I'll give you money to go and come back. Farrell Kavanagh often goes to America. You could go with him.

MATT I'll go by myself, unless Ellen Douras comes now. The creamery owes me money for the carting, and I'll get it.

MURTAGH COSGAR Then go. Good-bye to you, Matt Cosgar.

MATT Good-bye to you.

_He goes out. Murtagh stands, then moves about vaguely_

MURTAGH COSGAR The floor swept, the hearth tidied. It's a queer end to it all. Twenty years I bid them offer. Twenty years, twenty years!

_Martin comes back_.

MURTAGH COSGAR The men will be coming back.

MARTIN DOURAS I suppose they will.

MURTAGH COSGAR You're a queer fellow, Martin Douras. You went to gaol for some meeting.

MARTIN DOURAS Ay.

MURTAGH COSGAR Them was the stirring times. I can't help but think of you in gaol, and by yourself. What brings you back now?

MARTIN DOURAS Ellen told me to go back. I should say something to Matt, I think.