THE DRONE

A Play in Three Acts

by

RUTHERFORD MAYNE

Luce & Co. BostonCopyright, 1912. Samuel Waddell. 

TO

SEVEEN

CHARACTERS

JOHN MURRAY, _A farmer. _DANIEL MURRAY, _His brother. _MARY MURRAY, _John's daughter. _ANDREW MCMINN, _A farmer. _SARAH MCMINN, _His sister. _DONAL MACKENZIE, _A Scotch engineer. _SAM BROWN, _A labourer in John Murray's employment. _KATE, _A servant girl in John Murray's employment. _ALICK MCCREADY, _A young farmer. _

_The action takes place throughout in the kitchen of John Murray inthe County of Down. _

TIME ... _The present day. _

The Drone

_A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS_

ACT I. 

SCENE: _The farm kitchen of John Murray. It is large and spacious, with a wide open fire-place to the right. At the back is one doorleading to the parlour and other rooms in the house, also a largewindow overlooking the yard outside. To the left of this window is thedoor leading into the yard, and near the door an old-fashionedgrandfather's clock. Opposite to the fire-place on the left side isanother door leading into Daniel Murray's workshop, and beside thisdoor is a large dresser with crockery, &c. At the back beneath thewindow is a table near which_ KATE, _the servant, a slatternly dressedgirl of some thirty years of age or more, is seated. She is carefullyexamining some cakes of soda bread, and has a bucket beside her intowhich she throws the rejected pieces. _

KATE. That one's stale. It would break your teeth to eat it. (_Shethrows the cake into the bucket. _) And the mice have nibbled that one. And there's another as bad. (_She throws both pieces into thebucket. _)

(BROWN, _the servant man, opens the door from yard and enters. He iselderly, and with a pessimistic expression of face, relieved somewhatby the sly humour that is in his eyes. He walks slowly to the centreof the kitchen, looks at_ KATE, _and then turns his eyes, with adisgusted shake of the head, towards the dresser as if searching forsomething. _)

BROWN. Well! Well! Pigs get fat and men get lean in this house. 

KATE. It's you again, is it? And what are you looking now?

BROWN. I'm looking a spanner for the boss. The feedboard to thethreshing machine got jammed just when halfway through the firststack, and he is in a lamentable temper. 

KATE (_uneasily_). Is he? (_She starts hurriedly to clear up thetable. _)

BROWN (_watching her slyly to see what effect his words have_). Andhe's been grumbling all morning about the way things is going on inthis house. Bread and things wasted and destroyed altogether. 

KATE. Well, it's all Miss Mary's fault. I told her about this breadyesterday forenoon, and she never took any heed to me. 

BROWN. Miss Mary? (_With a deprecatory shake of his head. _) What doesa slip of a girl like that know about housekeeping and her not home ahalf-year yet from the boarding-school in the big town, and with nomother nor nobody to train her. (_He stares in a puzzled way at thedresser. _) I don't see that spanner at all. Did you see it, Kate?

KATE. No. I've more to do than look for spanners. 

BROWN (_gazing reproachfully at her and then shaking his head_). It'sa nice house, right enough. (_Lowering his voice. _) And I suppose oldMr. Dan is never up yet. I was told by Johnny McAndless, he wasterribly full last night at McArn's publichouse and talking--ach--thegreatest blethers about this new invention of his. 

KATE. Do you say so?

BROWN. Aye. No wonder he's taking a lie this morning. (_He peeps intothe door of the workshop. _) He's not in his wee workshop?

KATE. No. Miss Mary is just after taking up his breakfast to him. 

BROWN. Some people get living easy in this world. (_He gives a lastlook at the dresser. _) Well divil a spanner can I see. I'll tell themaster that. (_He goes out again through the yard door, and as he doesso, _ MARY MURRAY _comes through the door from the inner rooms, carrying a tray with teacups, &c. , on it. She is a pretty, vivaciousgirl about eighteen years of age. _)

MARY. Who was that?

KATE. It's the servant man looking for a spanner for your father, MissMary. There's something gone wrong with the threshing machine. 

MARY (_taking the tray to the table and starting to get ready to washup the cups_). I do believe sometimes that Uncle Dan's a lazy man. 

KATE (_assisting her at the washing and stopping as if astonished atthe statement_). And is it only now you're after finding that out!Sure the whole countryside knowed it this years and years. 

MARY (_sharply_). The whole countryside has no business to talk aboutwhat doesn't concern it. 

KATE. Oh, well, people are bound to talk, Miss. 

MARY. But then Uncle Dan is awfully clever. He's got the whole brainsof the Murrays, so father says, and then, besides that, he is a grandtalker. 

KATE. Aye. He can talk plenty. Sure Sarah McMinn, that lives up theCut, says its a shame the way he's going on this twenty years andmore, never doing a hand's turn from morning to night, and she saysshe wonders your poor father stands him and his nonsense. 

MARY. Who said that?

KATE. Sarah McMinn told Johnny McAndless that yesterday. 

MARY. Sarah McMinn? Pooh! That hard, mean, old thing. No. I believe inUncle Dan and so does father. He'll make a name for himself yet. 

KATE. Well, it's getting near time he done it. 

MARY. And that Sarah McMinn they say just keeps her brother instarvation, and she just says nasty things like that about Uncle Danbecause he doesn't like her. 

KATE. Aye. He never did like people as seen through him, not but sheis a mean old skin-a-louse. (_The voice of_ DANIEL MURRAY _is heardcalling from within. _) He's up, Miss. 

MARY. Are you up, uncle?

(DAN MURRAY _opens the door from the inner apartments and comes intothe kitchen. He is carelessly dressed and sleepy-looking as if justout of bed, wears a muffler and glasses, and appears to be some fiftyyears of age. _)

DANIEL. Yes. Did the _Whig_ come yet?

MARY. Yes. I put it in your workshop. 

DANIEL (_glancing at the clock_). Bless my heart, it's half-past one!

MARY (_reproachfully_). It is, indeed, uncle. 

DANIEL. Well! Well! Time goes round, Mary. Time goes round. (_Katepicks up the bucket and goes out by the yard door. _) Where's yourfather? (_He crosses over to the workshop door. _)

MARY. He's out working with Sam Brown at the threshing all morningsince seven o'clock. 

DANIEL. Well! Well! A very industrious man is John Murray. Very. Butlacking in brains, my dear--lacking in brains. Kind, good-hearted, easy-going, but--ah! well, one can't help these things. (_He goestowards the workshop. _) Where did you say the _Whig_ was, Mary?

MARY. It's in your workshop. (_He crosses over to go there. _)

MARY. You were very late coming in last night, uncle. 

DANIEL. Eh? (_He goes in, gets the paper, comes out again. _)

MARY. I heard you coming in, and the clock was just after strikingtwo. (_He sits down and opens paper. _)

DANIEL. Well--I met a few friends last night. Appreciative friends Icould talk to, and I was explaining that new idea of mine that I'vebeen working at so long--that new idea for a fan-bellows. It's a greatthing. Oh yes. It should be. I sat up quite a while last night, thinking it over, and I believe I've got more ideas about it--betterones. 

MARY. Do you think you'll make money off it, uncle?

DANIEL. Mary--if it comes off--if I can get someone to take it up, Ibelieve 'twill make our fortune, I do. 

MARY. Oh, uncle, it would be lovely if you did, and I would just dieto see that nasty McMinn woman's face when she hears about you makingsuch a hit. 

DANIEL. McMinn? Has that woman been sneering about me again? That'sone woman, Mary, I can't stand. I can never do myself justiceexplaining ideas in company when that woman is present. 

MARY. Never mind her, uncle. (_Coming close beside him. _) Do you mindthe time last time, uncle, when you went up to Belfast for a week tosee about that patent for--what's this the patent was, uncle?

DANIEL (_uncomfortably_). Last time? Aye? Why?

MARY. Yes. Don't you remember you said you knew of an awfully nice boythat you met, and you were going to bring him down here. 

DANIEL. Upon my soul, I had clean forgotten. Yes, yes. I think I didsay something about a young fellow I met. 

MARY. Was he nice, uncle?

DANIEL (_becoming absorbed in the newspaper_). Eh? I think so. Oh. Hewas--very nice chap. 

MARY. Well, you said he was coming here to see me, and he never turnedup yet. 

DANIEL. Did I? Very possibly. I suppose he must have forgotten. 

MARY (_walking away to the left and then back again pouting_). I'msick of the boys here. There's only Alick McCready that's anywaypassable. When will you see him again, uncle?

DANIEL. Well--possibly, when I go up to town again. Very soon, perhaps. That is if your father, Mary, can spare the money. 

MARY (_thoughtfully_). I don't know, uncle. You see that would be fivetimes now, and somehow you never seem to get anything done. That'swhat he said, mind you, uncle. 

DANIEL (_mournfully_). Well! Well! To think of me toiling and moilingaway in that workshop of mine, day after day, and week after week, andyear after year--and there's all the thanks you get for it. 

MARY. Uncle?

DANIEL (_somewhat irritably as he gets engrossed reading_). Well?

MARY. Look, if you went up to Belfast again soon, won't you see thatboy? I wonder what he's like. (_She gets close beside her uncle andnestles beside him. _) Is he dark or fair?

DANIEL. Yes, yes. I think so. 

MARY. Dark?

DANIEL. Yes. I believe he is dark. 

MARY. And tall?

DANIEL (_trying vainly to read in spite of the interruptions_). Verytall. 

MARY. Oh, how nice! And uncle, is he good-looking?

DANIEL. Very. Fine looking fellow. 

MARY. That's grand; and uncle, is he well to do?

DANIEL. He has every appearance of it. 

MARY. Oh you dear old uncle! (_She nestles closer to him. _) But maybehe wouldn't look at me when he has a whole lot of town girls to gowith. 

DANIEL. My dear niece, you don't know what a very good-looking younglady you are, and besides he saw your photograph. 

MARY. Which photograph?

DANIEL (_perplexed_). Which photograph? Your own of course!

MARY. The one I got taken at Lurgan?

DANIEL. Yes. I think so. 

MARY. Oh uncle! That horrid thing! Why didn't you show him the one Igot taken at Newcastle?

DANIEL. My mistake. Very sorry, indeed, Mary, I assure you. But I tellyou what, I'll take the album with me next time. Will that do?

MARY (_laughing_). There. Now you're only joking. (_Suddenly. _) Whatdo you do all the time you stay in Belfast, uncle?

DANIEL (_uneasily_). Um--um----Business, my dear girl, business. Seeengineers and all that sort of thing, and talk things over. It takestime, you know, Mary, time. 

MARY. You've been an awful long time inventing, uncle, haven't you?

DANIEL. Well, you know, Mary dear--time--it takes time. You can't rushan inventor. 

MARY. Well look, uncle. You know I can just wheedle father round mywee finger, can't I?

DANIEL. You can indeed. 

MARY. Well, look: if you promise to bring down this boy you aretalking about, I'll get father to give you enough to have two weeks inBelfast. There. It's a bargain. 

DANIEL. Um--well--he may not be there you know. 

MARY (_disappointed_). O uncle!

DANIEL. You see he travels a lot and he may be away. He may be inLondon. In fact I think--yes. He said he would be going to London. 

MARY. Then why not go to London?

DANIEL (_starting up and speaking as if struck with delight at thepossibility_). Eh? I never thought of that! (_He collapses again. _)But no. Your father, Mary. He would never give me the money. No. 

MARY. But you're more likely to meet people there who'd take it up, aren't you, uncle?

DANIEL. It's _the place_ for an inventor to go, Mary. _The place. _(_Pauses. _) But I'm afraid when John hears about it----(_he becomesvery dubious and shakes his head_). 

MARY. Well, look here, uncle. Do you mind the last time when he wouldnot give you money to go up to Belfast about your patent. 

DANIEL (_sadly_). I do. 

MARY. You remember you got a letter a few days after asking you tocome up at once and you had to go then. Hadn't you?

DANIEL. I had. 

MARY. Well, couldn't we do the same this time?

DANIEL (_looking at her uneasily_). Eh?

MARY. Couldn't we get someone to send a letter. (_Pausing andthinking, then suddenly_). Oh, the very thing! You know that sillyAlick McCready that comes running after me. Well, look, I'll get himto send a letter. 

DANIEL. No good, my dear. I did it before----I mean letters on plainnotepaper don't carry much weight. No. 

MARY. What about----oh, I know! Uncle, a telegram!

DANIEL. Great idea! It is in soul!

MARY. And we'll put something on it like "come to London at once tosee about the patent, " or something like that. And he'd have to letyou go then. 

DANIEL. Mary, you're really a cleverer girl than your father thinks. (_Musingly. _) Two weeks in London. 

MARY. And don't forget the nice boy, uncle, when you go. 

DANIEL. I'll do my best to get hold of him. 

MARY. No. I want a good definite promise. Promise, uncle. 

DANIEL. Well, really you know, my dear, he----

MARY. Uncle, promise. 

DANIEL. Um----well, I promise. 

MARY. You're a dear old thing. You see, uncle, I don't want to marryAlick McCready or Jim McDowell or any of those boys, unless there'snobody else. 

DANIEL. Quite right, my dear, quite right. Two weeks in London. Splendid! But it's time I was going into my workshop. (_He rises andtakes the paper with him. _) I must really try and do something thismorning. (_Exit by workshop door. _)

MARY (_calling after him_). You won't forget, uncle? Will you?

DANIEL. No, certainly not. 

MARY. I do hope uncle brings that nice boy. Dark--tall--well setup--well to do. 

(KATE _comes in again through the yard door, and looks at_ MARY, _whois gazing vacantly into space. _)

KATE. Well? What notion have you got now?

MARY. Oh! just think, Kate! How would you like a boy who was dark andtall, and well set up and well to do?

KATE. I'd just leap at him. 

MARY (_laughing_). Agh! I don't think he'll ever come, Kate!

KATE. I think you've plenty on hand to manage. (BROWN _opens the yarddoor and resumes his old-position from which he stares at thedresser_). You're back again, are you?

BROWN. Aye. 

KATE. What ails you now?

BROWN. I'm looking the spanner. 

MARY. The spanner?

BROWN. The spanner, Miss Mary. It's for turning the nuts like. 

KATE. Have you never got it yet?

BROWN. Do you think I've got eyes in the back of my head? Underneaththe seat, beside the salt-box, on the right near the wee crock in theleft hand corner. (_He makes a movement to open one of the drawers ofthe dresser. _)

KATE. Will you get out of that, ignorance. It's not there. 

BROWN (_with an appealing look at_ MARY). Maybe its in the parlour?

MARY. Well, I'll take a look round. (_She goes through the door toliving rooms. _)

BROWN (_mysteriously_). Did you hear the news?

KATE. No. (_Very much interested. _) What?

BROWN. Ach! You women never know anything. 

KATE. What's the news? Somebody killed?

BROWN. No. More serious. 

KATE (_alarmed_). God bless me! What is it?

BROWN. Andy McMinn has a sister. 

KATE (_disappointed_). Ach!

BROWN. And she's trying to get a man. 

KATE. Well. I knowed that this years. 

BROWN. And Mr. John Murray is a widow man. 

KATE. You mean to be telling me that Mr. John has a notion of that oldthing? Go long with you!

BROWN. Did you ever hear tell of a widow man that never got marriedagain. 

KATE. Plenty. Don't come in here talking blethers. 

BROWN. Whist. There's more in what I'm telling you than you think. AndI'll hold you to a shilling that Sarah McMinn will be Mrs. John Murraybefore one month. 

KATE. Who told you?

BROWN. Ach. You've no more head than a yellow yorling. Where has Mr. John been going to these wheen of nights?

KATE (_thinking_). Andy McMinns!

BROWN. Aye. Do you think it is to see old Andy? And sure he's beentalking to me all morning about the way the house is being kept. Nohand to save the waste; bread and things destroyed; hens laying away;eggs ate up by the dozen and chickens lost and one thing and another. And hinting about what money a good saving woman would bring him. AndMr. Daniel----

KATE. Sh----he's in there working. 

BROWN. Working? Ah, God save us! Him working! The last man that seenMr. Dan working is in his grave this twenty years. (_He goes over nextworkshop door. _) I'll just peep in at him through the keyhole. (_Hegoes over and does so, and then beckons_ KATE _over. She peeps in andgrins. As they are thus occupied_ ALICK MCCREADY _opens the door andstands gazing at them. He is a type of the young well-to-do farmer, respectably dressed and good-looking. _)

ALICK. Well! Well! Some people earn their money easy!

BROWN. Aye. In soul. Just look in there to see it. (MCCREADY _looks inand bursts into a loud hearty laugh. _ BROWN _hurriedly goes out by theyard door and_ KATE _by door to inner rooms. _)

DANIEL (_opening door and standing there, perplexed looking_). What'sthe matter?

ALICK. Ah. I was just laughing at a wee joke, Mr. Murray. 

DANIEL. It must have been very funny. 

ALICK. Aye. It was. (_Coming close to_ DANIEL, _who walks slowly tothe middle of the kitchen. _) I say. Were you at McArn's publichouselast night?

DANIEL (_looking round cautiously to see that no one else can hearhim_). Well, just a minute or two. Why?

ALICK. There was someone there told Andy McMinn this morning, Ibelieve, that you'd been talking of a great invention altogether, andhe was that much curious to see it that him and his sister Sarah arecoming over this day to have a look at it. 

DANIEL. Who? Sarah McMinn?

ALICK. Aye. She's very anxious to see it, I believe. 

DANIEL. Um. Rather awkward this. She's not a woman that, plainlyspeaking, I care very much to talk about my ideas to. 

ALICK. But have you got something struck out?

DANIEL. McCready, come here. (ALICK _goes closer to him. _) It isreally a great idea. Splendid. But I've a great deal of trouble overit. In fact I've been thinking out details of a particular gear allmorning. 

ALICK. Aye. (_He looks at_ DANIEL _and then endeavours to restrainunsuccessfully a burst of laughter. _)

DANIEL (_angrily_). You were always an ignorant hound anyway and bed----d to you. (_He turns to go towards his workshop. _)

ALICK. Ah, Mr. Murray, I beg your pardon. It's another thingaltogether I'm thinking about. I just wanted a talk with you thismorning. You have a nice wee girl for a niece, Mr. Murray. 

DANIEL (_somewhat mollified_). Well?

ALICK (_bashfully_). And I was wondering if you could put in a goodword for me now and again with her. 

DANIEL. Now, look here, Alick. We can all work nice and comfortablytogether, can't we?

ALICK. Aye. 

DANIEL. Well, if you behave yourself like a man with some manners, andnot like an ignorant clodhopper, I can do a great deal for you. 

ALICK. Thank you, sir. You know, Mr. Murray, I have as nice a weefarm, and as good stock on it as well, as any man in the county, andif I'm lucky enough to get that niece of yours, you'll always bewelcome to come and pass a day or two and have a chat. 

DANIEL. I think you and I will get along all right, Alick. There's oneor two little things I need badly sometimes in this house. I mean Iwant help often, you know, Alick, to carry my points with John; pointsabout going to see people and that sort of thing, and it's really veryhard to manage John on points like that, unless we resort to certainmeans to convince him they are absolutely necessary. 

ALICK (_uneasily_). Yes. I sort of follow you. 

DANIEL. You know what I mean. John's a little dense, you know. Hecan't see the point of an argument very well unless you sort of knockhim down with it. Now, if a thing is fair and reasonable, and a man isso dense that he can't see it, you are quite justified--at least, Itake it so--to manufacture a way--it doesn't matter how--so long asyou make that dense man accept the thing, whatever it is, as right. Doyou follow me?

ALICK. I'm just beginning to see a kind of way. 

MARY (_appearing at door from inner rooms_). I can't see that thinganywhere. (_She suddenly sees_ ALICK. ) Oh Alick! You here!

ALICK. Yes. It's a nice morning, and you're looking beautiful!

MARY. Oh, bother. (_She seems to suddenly recollect something. _) Oh, Isay! uncle! You remember? Uncle!

DANIEL (_somewhat perplexed_). Eh?

MARY (_motioning towards_ ALICK). Telegram to come to London. 

DANIEL. Ah----Oh, yes, yes. 

MARY. Let's go into your workshop and tell Alick what we want. Comeon. 

ALICK. I'll do anything in the world you want. 

(_They all go into the workshop. As they disappear, _ JOHN MURRAY, _sweating and angry looking, comes through from the yard followed by_BROWN. JOHN _is a tall, stout man, with a rather dour countenance andsomewhat stolid expression. He is a year or so the elder of Dan inage. He goes to the dresser, puts his hand on the top shelf, takesdown a spanner and throws it down angrily on the table. _)

JOHN. There. There you are, you stupid-looking, good for nothing, dunder-headed, Italian idiot you. 

BROWN. You're something terrible cross this morning. 

JOHN. (_heatedly_). Is it any wonder? Away out at once now and put herto rights and quick about it. (BROWN _meekly goes out. _) The like ofservant men nowadays, I never seen in my mortal days. A concern ofignorant bauchles, every one of them. 

DANIEL (_opening door of workshop and peeping out. He sees_ JOHN _andgoes over to him with a genial air_). Good morning John. 

JOHN (_snappishly_). Morning. 

DANIEL. John, what do you think, I believe I have just come on to agreat idea about----

JOHN. Ach! You and your great ideas! Here you've been blundering andblethering and talking these fifteen years and more, and I've neverseen anything come of them yet. 

DANIEL (_soothingly_). I know, John, I know. But I'm handicapped youknow. Bad place to work in and all the rest of it: but you've beenkind to me, John. Keeping a brother and helping him after he has lostall his money isn't a common thing with many men, but John a day willcome sometime, and you'll get it all back. (_Impressively_). Everypenny. Aye, and twice over. 

JOHN (_softening_). Thank you, Daniel. 

DANIEL. You will, John, you will. But don't cast up things like thatabout the time I've been. It hurts me. A thing like this takes time tomature, you know, John. The great and chief thing for an inventor istime. Look at Palissy, the great French potter, who found out how tomake porcelain glaze. Why he worked for years and years at hisinvention. And there was the man who found out how to make steam driveengines. Look at the years those men spent--and no one begrudged them. 

JOHN. I suppose that now. 

DANIEL. Certainly, John, nothing surer. And look at the fortunes thosemen made. But the great difficulty is trying to get someone to take upyour patent. You see these men had the eyes of the world fixed onthem. People knew all about them, and had their hands stretched outready to grab what they invented. (_Pathetically_). I----I'm just apoor unknown man struggling in a wee dark corner. 

JOHN (_touched_). Never mind, Danny. You'll make the name of theMurray's known yet, maybe. 

DANIEL. I'll do my best, John. But mind you it would take me to bepushing on this thing that I have found out and bringing it beforepeople to notice. You see I've got it all ready now except for a fewsmall details. 

JOHN (_much interested_). Have you now? I would like you sometime toexplain it to me, Daniel. I didn't quite get on to it the last timeyou were telling me about it. 

DANIEL. Some time again. Oh yes. But John--I'll have to go to some ofthe towns soon to see people about it. The bigger the town the betterthe chance, and John (_impressively_)--London's the place. 

JOHN (_aghast_). London! In all the name of the world, yon place!Would Belfast not do you?

DANIEL. No. I don't like Belfast. They're a mangy, stick-in-the-mud, follow-in-the-old-ruts crowd. Never strike out anything new. It's acase of London or nothing. 

JOHN (_dubiously_). It will be a terrible expense this Londonvisiting. 

DANIEL. It'll be worth it. 

JOHN. Now, Danny, I would like to oblige you, but what do you think itwould cost me?

DANIEL. Well, I could live cheap you know, John, and do without mealsan odd day, and go steerage and third class, and that sort of thing. Iwould say about fifteen pounds roughly. That would let me stay morethan a week. 

JOHN. Fifteen pounds! God bless me, Daniel, would you break me? No, no, I couldn't afford to give you that much. 

DANIEL. Maybe ten would do it. I could sleep out under the arches anodd night or two, and----

JOHN. No, no. I'll not have that. A Murray aye had a bed to go to anda sup to eat. (_After a contemplative pause. _) Here, I'll give youthree pounds and you can go to Belfast. 

DANIEL. I don't care much about Belfast. You know I have been therefive times now, and I have never got anyone to look into the thing atall proper. 

JOHN. You're too backward, Daniel, when it comes to the like of that. But ten pounds! No, I would like you to get on in the world rightenough, Daniel, but I couldn't afford it. You know the way this houseis being kept; it's lamentable. Tea and sugar and flour and things. Man, I'm just after paying off ten pounds to the McAfees for one thingand another, and it only a running account for two months. If I had agood housekeeper now, maybe things would alter for the better. 

MARY (_coming out from the workshop followed by_ ALICK). O Uncle Dan!He says he'll go at once and get it----(_She stops short in confusion onseeing her father. _)

ALICK. How are you, Mr. Murray?

JOHN. O! bravely. What's the news with you?

ALICK. I was just looking over some of them ideas of Daniel's, aboutthe new fan bellows. 

JOHN. Aye. Now what do you think of it?

ALICK (_warned by_ DANIEL _who nudges him_). They're great altogether. 

JOHN. Do you think there will be any sale for it at all?

ALICK. I think so. (_He perceives_ DANIEL _motioning assent. _) Ibelieve there would be indeed. 

JOHN. Man, I wish I had the head of some of you young fellows tounderstand the working of them machinery and things. (DANIEL _goesback into the workshop. _) I've the worst head in the world forunderstanding about them sort of things. There's Daniel, a great headon him, Daniel. 

ALICK (_slyly_). He has, right enough!

JOHN (_proudly_). One of the best. When he was a wee fellow, dang theone could beat him at making boats or drawing pictures, or explainingextraordinary things to you. None. Not one. A great head on him, Daniel. He'll do something yet. 

ALICK. Did you know Andy McMinn's for coming over to see you this day, Mr. Murray?

JOHN (_eagerly_). This day? When? Are you sure?

ALICK. Aye, so he said. About two o'clock or so. Someone told himabout Daniel's great new idea, and he's very curious to hear about it. 

MARY. He's always poking his nose into people's business. 

JOHN. Whist. Andy McMinn's a very decent man. Tell me (_ratherbashfully_), was Sarah to come with him?

MARY (_alarmed_). O holy prophets! I hope not. 

ALICK. Aye. She's coming too. She wanted to see it as well as Andy. 

JOHN. Aye. Certainly, and she's welcome too. Mary, you can get thehouse ready, and the table set, and a nice tea for them when theycome, and I can go and get tidied up a wee bit. (_He goes off throughdoor into inner rooms. _)

ALICK (_leaning against the table and looking across at_ MARY, _who issitting at the opposite end. _) You're as nice a wee girl as ever I----

MARY. You're an awful fool. Hurry, Alick, like a decent man and getthat telegram sent. 

ALICK. That uncle of yours, Mary, heth he's as canny a keoghboy asI've seen. Its the queer tears he'll be taking to himself in London ifI know anything. 

MARY. Hold your tongue. You've no business to talk about Uncle Danthat way. He could give you tons as far as brains go anyway. 

ALICK. I believe that. (_He goes to yard door, then turns back. _) Isay, Mary. What name will I put on that telegram? "Come to London atonce about patent. Intend purchasing. " Hadn't we better have a name?

MARY. Yes. I'll just ask uncle. (_She knocks at door of workshop. _)Uncle!

DANIEL (_without_). Yes. 

MARY. What name will we put to that telegram?

DANIEL (_without_). Oh, it's not particular. Wilson or Smith, orBrown, or Gregg. 

ALICK. I'll put Gregg on it. 

DANIEL. Do well. 

ALICK. Did you see the fluster that your father got into, Mary, whenhe heard that Sarah McMinn was coming over?

MARY (_alarmed_). What?

ALICK.. Did you not see how he rushed off to tidy himself up when heheard Sarah McMinn was coming over?

MARY (_seating herself on chair to right of table_). Nonsense. Fatherwouldn't think of that woman. 

ALICK. All right. But I think I know something more than you. 

MARY (_anxiously_). What? Tell me. 

ALICK. Come on and leave me down the loaning a pace, and I'll tellyou. 

MARY (_glancing at him, and then coquettishly turning her back to himas he leans against the table_). Oh, I can't. Those people are comingover, and that McMinn woman will be looking at everything and tellingyou how to do things in front of father, and all the rest of it. 

ALICK (_entreatingly_). Leave me down the loaning a pace till I tellyou the news. 

MARY (_teasingly_). No. 

ALICK. Come on. 

MARY. No. (ALICK _moves sadly towards the door. _ MARY _looks round, and then laughingly skips past him out through the yard door, and hefollows her. _)

JOHN (_coming through door from inner rooms partly dressed, with atowel in his hands, evidently making much preparation to cleanhimself_). Daniel! (_Loudly and crossly. _) Daniel!

DANIEL (_peeping out from workshop door_). Well!

JOHN. Tidy yourself up a wee bit, man, Andy McMinn and Sarah's comingover to see you. 

DANIEL (_somewhat taken back_). Me?

JOHN. Aye. They want to see about the new invention. You can have thecollar I wore last Sunday, and put on your new coat that you got inBelfast. (DANIEL _goes back into the workshop. _) I wonder what tiewould be the better one? Yon green or the red one that Mary gave melast Christmas. Aye. (_Seeing no sign of_ DANIEL. ) D----n! Is hemaking no shapes to dress himself. Daniel!

DANIEL (_without_). Aye. 

JOHN (_loudly_). Daniel!

DANIEL (_again appearing at door_). Well!

JOHN (_impatiently_). Come on and get on you. 

DANIEL. Ach. This is always the way. Just when a man has got the wholething worked out and the plans of the apparatus just on the point ofcompletion he has to stop. 

JOHN. Never mind, Danny. You can do it again the night or the morrowmorning. I want you to look decent. Come on and get on you. 

DANIEL (_beginning to regard his brother with a sudden interest andsuspicion_). Who did you say was coming?

JOHN (_at door to rooms_). Andy and Sarah McMinn. (He goes out. )

DANIEL (_suddenly realising the import of the preparations going on. _)McMinn. Mc----. (_He stops short, and then in a horrified voice. _)Surely to God he hasn't a notion of that woman? (_Callingtremulously. _) John! John!

JOHN (_at door_). Hurry up, man. 

DANIEL (_appealingly_). John. Tell me, John. You haven't----you're notgoing to----you haven't a notion of that woman?

JOHN (_hesitatingly_). Well, Daniel, you see the house needs some oneto look after it proper, and I thought----well--maybe--that Sarahwould be just as nice and saving a woman as I could get, but I thoughtI would keep it a bit secret, don't you know, because I don't know yetif she'd have me or not. And she could talk to you better nor I couldabout machinery and things that would interest you, for she has anagency for sewing machines, and knows something about that sort ofthing, and you'd get on great with each other. Now, hurry and get onyou. (_He goes out by door into rooms. _)

DANIEL (_looking after him in a helpless manner, and sinking into achair_). If--if she'd have him! O great God! If that woman comes tothis house, I--I'm a ruined man. 

(CURTAIN. )

ACT II. 

_The same scene some hours later. The curtain rises to discover_ KATE_seated near table at back enjoying a cup of tea which she has made, and is drinking with relish. _

KATE. I suppose they'll be wanting jam and sugar for the tea--aye--andsome of them scones Miss Mary cooked yesterday, not but you couldn'teat them, and a pat or two of butter. (_She finishes off the remainsof the tea. _) Now, that's a nice girl for you! Here's company comingtill the house and tea and things a wanting, and she goes and leavesall to go strolling down the loaning with that fool of a McCready. 

(BROWN _opens the yard door and comes in. He replaces the spanner onthe top shelf and then turns and looks at_ KATE. )

KATE. Well?

BROWN. Well, yourself?

KATE. Do you see any sign of them McMinns yet?

BROWN. Aye. I see the trap coming over the Cattle Hill. There wasthree in it, as far as I could make out. 

KATE. Who be to be the third party I wonder? Is it their servant man?

BROWN. Do you think old Andy McMinn's servant man gets leave to drivethem about of an afternoon like the clergy's? Talk sense, woman. 

KATE. Maybe it's yon Scotch body I heard was stopping with them. 

BROWN. Aye. Yon Mackenzie. Ach, man, but yon creature would scunderyou. 

KATE. Aye. 

BROWN. Ach! Cracking jokes and laughing that hearty at them, and I'mdanged if a bat with one eye shut could make out what he was laughingat. (_Listening. _) Here they are. I hear the wheels coming up theloaning. I'll have to go and put up the horse for them I suppose. (_Hegoes out by yard door. _)

KATE. I wonder if the master seen them coming. (_She rapidly clearsthe table and then goes over to door into room. _) I better tell him. (_She knocks at the door. _)

JOHN (_without_). Aye. (_He comes and opens the door, dressed in hisbest suit of clothes. _) What's the matter?

KATE. They're just come, sir. 

JOHN (_excitedly_). Are they? (_Comes into kitchen. _) Is my tie right, Kate? And my clothes--is there any dirt on the back of them?

KATE (_inspecting him critically_). You'll do grand. I never seen youlooking better. 

JOHN. Where's Mary? Why isn't she here?

KATE. She went out about something. She'll be back in a minute. 

JOHN. Right enough, it would do her all the good in the world to havea sensible woman looking after her. She just gets her own way a dealtoo much in this house. (_He goes to window and looks out. _) Aye. Herethey are! Tell Daniel to hurry. (KATE _goes off by door to rooms. _)Sarah's looking bravely. Man, that woman could save me thirty, ayeforty, pounds a year if she was here. (_Suddenly. _) Ach! Is Danielnever ready yet? (_Calls. _) Daniel! (_Louder. _) Daniel!

DANIEL (_without_). Aye. 

JOHN. Hurry, man. They've come. (JOHN _goes to yard door and goesout. _)

DANIEL (_in an exasperated voice_). Ach!

(JOHN _comes in followed by_ ANDREW MCMINN, _an elderly non-descriptsort of man, followed by_ SARAH, _a sour faced spinster of uncertainage. In the rear is_ DONAL MACKENZIE. _He is wearing a tourist costumeof Norfolk jacket and knickers, and is a keen faced, hard, angularlooking personage. _)

JOHN. Yous are all welcome. Every one of you. You Andy and Sarah, andMr. Mackenzie. The Scotch is aye welcome, Mr. Mackenzie. 

MACKENZIE. Aye. That's what I said the last time I was in Ballyannis, and was verra thirsty, and went into a beer-shop to get a dram--Blackand White it was. Verra guid. (_He laughs loudly at his own joke. _)

SARAH. We brought Mr. Mackenzie along with us to see your brother, John. You see he's an engineer and knows a good deal about machineryand plans and things. 

MACKENZIE. Aye. There's not much about machinery that I dinna ken, Mr. Murray, from a forty thousand horse power quadruple expansion doon toa freewheel bicycle. (_Proudly. _) I hae done spells work at all ofthem, you ken. 

ANDY. I suppose Daniel's at home. Is he?

JOHN. Daniel? Oh aye, Daniel's at home. He's just tidying himself up awee bit. 

MACKENZIE. A wee bit paint and powder gangs a lang gait to make updefects, as you ken yourself, Miss McMinn. (_He laughs loudly. _)That's a guid one. 

ANDY (_looking slyly at Sarah_). He's up out of bed then?

JOHN (_innocently_). Oh aye. He sits up late of nights working outthings. (_He points to the door of workshop. _) That's his workshop. 

MACKENZIE. He works then?

JOHN. Aye. He works in there. (_Andy goes over and goes intoworkshop. _)

MACKENZIE. Because it doesna follow always, as I have discovered in myexperience, that because a man has a workshop, he works. (_He laughs, evidently much pleased at his own humour. _)

ANDY (_looking out again through door_). There's nothing much to seein this place except a lot of dirty papers. 

JOHN. That's the plans of the bellows he's working at. 

MACKENZIE (_going over to workshop_). Come out, Mr. McMinn, till Iexamine. (_Andy comes out and he passes in. _) Eh. This is the plan ofthe great bellows. (_He laughs loudly. _)

ANDY. Is he making much headway with it, John?

JOHN. Indeed, now, I think he's doing bravely at it. He's keeping veryclose at it this day or two. 

ANDY. There's a terrible amount of newspapers lying in there. Has heno other plans and drawings except what's there?

JOHN. Oh aye. He has plenty of plans and drawings somewhere, for Iseen them once or twice. 

MACKENZIE (_coming out_). I can't say much about that contrivance. (_He laughs. _) And, I say. Look here. He does more than draw bellows. He draws corks as well. (_He produces a bottle of whiskey almostempty. _)

JOHN. Ah, well. He's not a great transgressor either in the matter ofa bottle. No, no. 

ANDY. And the smell of smoke in the place!

SARAH. John, I think Daniel smokes far too much. 

ANDY. He should be dressed by now. 

JOHN. Aye. Oh, aye. He should right enough. He's a wee bit backwardbefore women, you know, Sarah. (_Calls. _) Daniel! (_He goes over andopens door into rooms. _) Daniel!

DANIEL (_without_). Yes. (_He appears at the door struggling vainlywith his collar. _)

JOHN. Why didn't you come long ago. What kept you?

DANIEL. Your collar. (_He looks across at_ ANDY _and_ SARAH, _who haveseated themselves at the back. _) How do you do, Andy and Sarah? You'revery welcome. (_He looks at_ MACKENZIE, _who stares curiously athim. _)

ANDY. This is a friend of ours, Daniel, that happened to be stoppingwith us last summer at Newcastle in the same house, and he came overfor his holidays to us this time. We brought him over to see you. Theycalls him Mackenzie. 

DANIEL (_crossing over to the left and taking a seat near the door ofthe workshop. _) How do you do?

MACKENZIE (_patronisingly_). I'm glad to see you at last, Mr. Murray, for I've heard a good deal about you. 

SARAH. You see, Daniel, Mr. Mackenzie is an engineer in one of thegreat Scotch engineering yards. (DANIEL'S _face expresses his dismay, which he hurriedly tries to hide. _) What place was it you were in, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE. I served six years in the engine and fitting shops withMessrs. Ferguson, Hartie & Macpherson, and was two years shop foremanafterwards to Dennison, McLachlan & Co. , and now I'm senior partnerwith the firm of Stephenson & Mackenzie. If ever you're up in Greenockdirection, and want to see how we do it, just ask for Donal Mackenzie, and they'll show you the place. (_Proudly. _) We're the sole makers ofthe Mackenzie piston, if ever you heard of it. 

DANIEL (_uneasily_). I'm sorry to say I haven't. 

MACKENZIE. And you call yourself an engineer and you don't know aboutDonal Mackenzie's patent reciprocating piston. 

JOHN (_apologetically_). You see we be a bit out of the world here, Mr. Mackenzie. 

DANIEL. Yes. Now that's one point. One great point that always tellsagainst me. (_Getting courageous. _) It really needs a man to becontinually visiting the great engineering centres--Greenock, London--

MACKENZIE (_scornfully_). London's not an engineering centre--Glasgow, Hartlepool, Newcastle----

DANIEL. Well, all those places. He could keep himself posted up in allthe newest ideas then, and inventions. 

MACKENZIE. But a man can keep himself to the fore if he reads thetechnical journals and follows their articles. What technical papersdo you get? Do you ever get the Scottish Engineers' Monthly Handbook, price sixpence monthly? I'm the writer on the inventors' column. Myarticles are signed Fergus McLachlan. Perhaps you've read them?

DANIEL. I think--um--I'm not quite sure that I have. 

MACKENZIE. You remember one I wrote on the new compressed air drillslast July?

DANIEL (_looking across at_ JOHN, _who is standing with his back tothe fireplace_). I don't think I do. 

JOHN. No. We don't get them sort of papers. I did buy one or two likethem for Daniel, but he told me he would just as soon have the _Whig_, for there was just as much information in it. 

MACKENZIE (_laughing_). O spirit of Burns! Just as muchinformation--well, so much for that. Now, about this new patent, thisnew fan bellows that I hear you're working at, Mr. Murray. 

DANIEL. What about it?

ANDY. We both seen the drawings in there, Daniel, but I don't thinkeither of us made much of it. Could you not explain it to him, Daniel. Give him an idea what you mean to do with it. 

JOHN. Aye. Now's your chance, Daniel. You were talking of somedifficulty or other. Maybe this gentleman could help you with it. 

DANIEL (_shifting uneasily, and looking appealingly at_ JOHN). Well. There's no great hurry. A little later on in the evening. (_He looksat_ SARAH. ) I'm thinking about Miss McMinn. I don't think thisconversation would be very interesting to her. 

SARAH. Oh, indeed now, Mr. Murray, I just love to know about it. Agood fan bellows would be the great thing for yon fireplace of ours, Andy. 

ANDY. Aye. Soul, it would that. 

DANIEL (_uncomfortably_). No. Not just yet, John. A bit later on. I'mshy, John, you know. A bit backward before company. 

JOHN. You're a man to talk about going to see people in London. 

SARAH. What? Was he going to London?

JOHN. Aye. He was talking about going to London, and I was half-mindedto let him go. 

ANDY (_who exchanges meaning glances with_ SARAH). Boys, that wouldcost a wheen of pounds!

MACKENZIE. Who wull you go to see in London?

DANIEL (_evasively_). Oh--engineers and patent agents and people thatwould take an interest in that sort of thing. 

MACKENZIE. Have you anyone to go to in particular?

DANIEL. Oh, yes. 

SARAH. It will cost a great deal of money, Daniel. Seven or eightpounds anyway. Won't it, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE. It would, and more. 

JOHN (_looking at_ SARAH _with evident admiration_). Man, that's asaving woman. She can count the pounds. (_Suddenly_). Daniel, away outand show Andy and Mr. Mackenzie the thresher, and get used to thecompany, and then you can come in and explain the thing to them. Iwant Sarah to stay here and help me to make the tea. That fool of aMary is away again somewhere. 

ANDY (_after a sly glance at_ SARAH). Aye. Come on, Daniel, andexplain it to us. I hear there's a new kind of feedboard on her. 

MACKENZIE. How is she driven, Mr. Murray?

DANIEL (_uncomfortably_). How is she what?

MACKENZIE. How is she worked--steam, horse, or water power, which?

JOHN (_motioning_ DANIEL _to go, which the latter does veryunwillingly_). Go on out and you can show them, Daniel. (DANIEL, ANDY, _and_ MACKENZIE _go out through yard door. _) He's backward, you know, Sarah, oh, aye--backward; but a great head. A great head on him, Daniel. 

SARAH. I suppose he is clever in his way. 

JOHN (_seating himself close beside her and talking with innocententhusiasm_). Ah, boys, Sarah, I mind when he went to serve his timewith McArthurs, of Ballygrainey, he was as clever a boy as come out ofthe ten townlands. And then he set up for himself, you know, and lostall, and then he come here. He's doing his best, poor creature, tillpay me for what kindness I showed him, by trying to invent things thathe says would maybe pay off, some time or other, all he owes to me. 

SARAH (_cynically_). Poor Daniel! And he lost all his money?

JOHN. Aye. Every ha'penny; and he took a hundred pounds off me aswell. And now, poor soul, he hasn't a shilling, barring an odd poundor two I give him once or twice a month. 

SARAH. Well! Well! And he's been a long time this way?

JOHN. Aye. (_Reflectively. _) I suppose it's coming on now to twentyyears. 

SARAH. It's a wonder he wouldn't make some shapes to try and get asituation somewhere. 

JOHN. Ach, well, you know, when Annie, the wife, died and left Mary awee bit of a wain, I was lonesome, and Daniel was always a rightheartsome fellow, and I never asked him about going when he came here. 

SARAH. He must be rather an expense to you. Pocket money for tobacco, and whenever he goes out a night to McArn's, its a treat all round towho is in at the time. And his clothes and boots, and let alone that, his going to see people about patents and things up to Belfast threeor four times in the year. If he was in a situation and doing forhimself, you could save a bit of money. 

JOHN (_pensively_). Aye. Heth and I never thought much of that, Sarah. I could right enough. I'll think over that now. (_He looks at her, andthen begins in a bashful manner. _) You weren't at Ballyannis Schoolfête, Sarah?

SARAH. No. But I heard you were there. Why?

JOHN (_coming still closer_). I was expecting to see you. 

SARAH (_contemptuously_). I don't believe in young girls going to themthings. 

JOHN (_gazing at her in astonishment_). But God bless me, theywouldn't call you young! (SARAH _turns up her nose disgustedly. _) Imissed you. Man, I was looking for you all roads. 

SARAH. I'm not a fool sort of young girl that you can just pass anidle hour or two with, John Murray, mind that. 

JOHN. I never thought that of you, Sarah. 

SARAH. Some people think that. 

JOHN (_astonished_). No. 

SARAH. They do. There's Andy just after warning me this morning aboutmaking a fool of myself. 

JOHN (_puzzled_). But you never done that, Sarah. 

SARAH. Well, he was just after giving me advice about going roundflirting with Tom, Dick and Harry. 

JOHN. Ah no. You never done that. Sure I knowed you this years andyears, and you never had a boy to my knowing. 

SARAH (_offended_). Well I had, plenty. Only I just wouldn't takethem. I refused more than three offers in my time. 

JOHN (_incredulously_). Well! Well! And you wouldn't have them!

SARAH. No. 

JOHN. Why now?

SARAH (_looking at him meaningly_). Well--I liked somebody elsebetter. 

JOHN (_piqued_). Did he--the somebody--did he never ask you?

SARAH. He might yet, maybe. 

JOHN (_hopelessly to himself_). I wonder would it be any use then measking her. 

SARAH. And I'm beginning to think he is a long time thinking about it. (_Knocking at the door. _)

JOHN (_angrily_). Ach! Who's that?

BROWN (_opening yard door and looking in_). Me, sir. Mr. Dan wants toknow could you not come out a minute, and show the gentlemen what wayyou can stop the feedboard working. 

JOHN. Don't you know yourself, you stupid headed lump you. Away backat once. (BROWN _hurriedly closes the door after an inquiring glanceat the pair. _) That's them servant men for you. He knowed rightly whatway it worked, only he was just curious. (_Savagely. _) He's a stupidcreature, anyway. 

SARAH. I think all men is stupid. They never see things at all. 

JOHN. Now, Sarah, sure women are just as bad. There's Mary. She'sbright enough someways, but others--ach----

SARAH. Mary needs someone--a woman--to look after her. Somebody thatknows how to manage a house and save money. She's lost running abouthere. Now, I had a young girl with me once was a wild useless thingwhen she came, and when she left me six months after, there wasn't abetter trained, nor as meek a child in the whole country. 

JOHN. And you can manage a house, Sarah, and well, too. Can't you?

SARAH. I ran the house for Andy there twenty years and more, and Inever once had to ask him for a pound. And what's more, I put someinto the bank every quarter. 

JOHN. Did you now? (_He looks at her in wondering admiration. _)

SARAH. Yes. And I cleared five pounds on butter last half year. 

JOHN (_with growing wonder_). Did you?

SARAH. And made a profit of ten pounds on eggs alone this yearalready. 

JOHN (_unable to contain himself any longer_). Sarah, will you marryme?

SARAH (_coyly_). Oh, John, this is very sudden. (_Knocking at yarddoor. _) I will. I will. Will you tell them when they come in?

JOHN (_now that the ordeal has been passed, feeling somewhatuncomfortable_). Well, I would rather you waited a few days, and thenwe could let them know, canny, don't you know, Sarah. Break the newssoft, so to speak. Eh?

SARAH (_disappointedly_). Well, if you want it particular that wayI--(_knocking_). 

JOHN (_going to door_). Aye, I'd rather you did. (_He goes to the doorand opens it and_ MARY _comes in. _)

MARY. I peeped through the window and I thought, perhaps, it would bebetter to knock first. It's a nice evening Miss McMinn. (_She takesoff her hat and flings it carelessly on a chair. _) Where's Uncle Dan?I want to see him. 

JOHN. He'll be in soon enough. He's out showing Andy and Mackenzie thethresher. 

MARY (_laughing_). Uncle Dan! What does he know about----(_she stopsshort, remembering that_ SARAH _is present. _) Mr. Mackenzie?

SARAH. Yes. He's a gentleman, a friend of ours, engaged in theengineering business, who has a large place of his own in Scotland, and we brought him over here to see your Uncle Dan about the inventionhe's working at. 

JOHN. You stop here, Mary, with Sarah, and get the tea ready. Youshould have been in the house when company was coming. Where were you?

MARY. Oh, just down the loaning. 

JOHN. Who with?

MARY. Alick McCready. 

JOHN (_sternly_). Aye. You're gay fond of tralloping about with theboys. 

SARAH. He's not just the sort of young man I would like to see in yourcompany, Mary. 

MARY (_impertinently_). It's none of your business whose company I wasin. 

JOHN (_disapprovingly_). Now, Mary, remember your manners in front ofyour elders, and mind you must always show Miss McMinn particularrespect. (_Impressively_). Particular respect. (_Going towards yarddoor. _) And you can show Sarah what you have in the house, and do whatshe bids you. Them's my orders. (_He goes out. _)

SARAH (_looking disapprovingly at_ MARY). I wonder a girl like you hasno more sense than to go gallivanting about at this time of day withboys, making talk for the whole country side. 

MARY (_sharply_). I don't have to run after them to other people'shouses anyway. 

SARAH. And that is no way to be leaving down your hat. (_She picks itup and looks at it. _) Is that your Sunday one?

MARY (_snatching it out of her hand_). Just find out for yourself. 

SARAH. Now, you should take and put it away carefully. There's no needto waste money that way, wearing things out. 

MARY (_with rising temper_). Do you know it's _my_ hat? Not yours. AndI can do what I like with it. (_She throws it down and stamps on it. _)I can tramp on it if I want to. 

SARAH (_smiling grimly_). Oh, well, tramp away. It's no wonder yourfather complained of waste and this sort of conduct going on. 

(KATE _comes in through door from rooms. _)

MARY. Have you got the tea things ready, Kate?

KATE. Yes, Miss. 

MARY. I suppose we better wet the tea. 

SARAH (_looking at the fire_). Have you the kettle on?

MARY. Can't you see for yourself it's not on. 

SARAH. Here, girl (_to_ KATE), fill the kettle and put it on. (KATE_looks at_ MARY, _and with a shrug of her shoulders, obeys theorders. _) Where's the tea till I show you how to measure?

MARY (_in a mocking voice_). Kate, get Miss McMinn the tea cannistertill she shows you how to measure. (KATE _goes to the dresser andbrings the teapot and cannister over to_ SARAH _at the table. _)

SARAH. But it's _you_ I want to show. (MARY _pays no attention, butsits down idly drumming her fingers on the table. _) There now--payparticular attention to this. (_She takes the cannister from_ KATE, _opens it and ladles out the tea with a spoon into the teapot. _) Onespoonful for your father and uncle, one for my brother and Mr. Mackenzie, one for yourself and me, and half-a-one for Kate. 

MARY. Do you see that, Kate?

KATE. Yes, Miss. 

MARY (_mockingly_). Now the next thing, I suppose, is to weigh out thesugar. 

SARAH. No. You always ask the company first do they take sugar beforeyou pour out the tea. 

MARY. No; not in good society. You put it on the saucers. 

SARAH. Put some in the bowl, Kate, and never heed her. 

MARY (_almost tearfully_). You've no business to say that, Kate! Who'syour mistress here?

KATE (_very promptly_). You, Miss. 

MARY. Then do what I tell you. Put on the tablecloth, and lay the cupsand saucers, and make everything ready, and take no orders except fromme. 

SARAH. Very well. I'll learn her manners when I come to this house. (_To_ MARY) I want to see the china. 

MARY. Well, go into the next room and look for it. 

SARAH (_going towards door to rooms_). You better mind what yourfather told you. (_She goes in. _)

MARY (_making a face after her_). You nasty old thing. (DANIEL_appears at the door from yard. He is nervous and worried looking. Hegoes and sits down near the fireplace, wearily. _) Uncle Dan. (_Shegoes over close beside him. _) Wasn't it good of Alick? He went away toBallyannis Post Office to get that telegram sent. 

DANIEL. A very decent fellow, Alick. (_Gratefully. _) Very obliging. 

MARY (_confidingly_). Do you know, uncle, when he went off to sendthat telegram I was nearly calling him back. I don't care so very muchnow whether I see that boy you were telling me about or not. Is he--doyou think, uncle--is he much nicer than Alick?

DANIEL. Nicer? (_He looks at his niece, and then begins to divine theway her feelings lie. _) Well, of course we have all our opinions onthese things you know, Mary, but Alick--well, after all there's many aworse fellow than Alick, isn't there? (MARY _does not answer, but putsher head close to her uncle. _) Ah, yes. 

MARY (_suddenly_). Uncle! Do you know what has happened? I heardfather proposing to Miss McMinn!

DANIEL (_groaning_). Oh my! I knew it would happen! I knew it wouldhappen! When? Where?

MARY. In here. I wanted to slip in quietly after leaving Alick downthe loaning when I overheard the voices. It was father and MissMcMinn. She was telling him how she had saved five pounds on butterlast half year, and ten pounds on eggs this year, and then fatherasked her to marry him. I knocked at the door out of divilment, andshe just pitched herself at him. I--I'm not going to stay in the housewith that woman. I'd sooner marry Alick McCready. 

DANIEL (_despairingly_). I would myself. I daren't--I couldn't facethe look of that woman in the mornings. 

MARY. It's all right for you to talk, uncle. You'll be working away atyour inventions, and that sort of thing, and will have nothing much todo with her, but I'd be under her thumb all the time. And I hate her, and I know she hates me. (_Tearfully. _) And then the way father talksabout her being such a fine housekeeper, and about the waste that goeson in this house, it nearly makes me cry, just because I have been abit careless maybe. But I could manage a house every bit as well asshe could, and I'd show father that if I only got another chance. Couldn't I uncle?

DANIEL (_soothingly_). And far better, Mary. Far better. 

MARY. And you could do far more at your invention if you only got achance. Couldn't you, uncle?

DANIEL. No doubt about it, Mary. None. I never got much of a chancehere. 

MARY. I wonder could we both try to get another chance. (_Suddenly, with animation. _) Uncle!

DANIEL. Well?

MARY. Aren't you going to explain that fan bellows thing you've beenworking at to them when they come in? (DANIEL _nods sadly. _) Well, look. That Scotchman--he understands things like that, and that's justthe reason why that nasty woman brought him over. Just to trip you andshow you up, and she thinks she'll make father see through you. Butjust you rise to the occasion and astonish them. Eh, uncle?

DANIEL (_uneasily_). Um--well, I don't know. That Scotchman's rather adense sort of fellow. Very hard to get on with somehow. 

MARY. Now, Uncle Dan, it's our last chance. Let us beat that womansomehow or other. 

DANIEL. It's all very well, Mary, to talk that way. (_Suddenly. _) Iwonder is there a book on machinery in the house?

MARY. Machinery? Let me think. Yes, I do believe KATE was reading somebook yesterday about things, and there was something about machineryin it. 

DANIEL. For Heaven's sake, Mary, get it. 

MARY (_calling_). Kate! Are you there, Kate? (KATE _comes in frominner rooms. _) Where's that book you were reading last night, Kate?

KATE (_surprised_). For dear's sake, Miss! Yon dirty old thing? Theone with the big talk between the old fellow and the son abouteverything in the world you could think of?

MARY. Yes, yes. Uncle Dan wants it. (KATE _fetches a tattered volumefrom the dresser and hands it to_ DANIEL. DANIEL _opens it, and readswhile the two girls peer over his shoulder. _)

DANIEL (_reading slowly_). "The Child's Educator. A series ofconversations between Charles and his father regarding the naturalphilosophy, as revealed to us, by the Very Reverend EzekielJohnston. "

KATE. (_much interested_). Aye. Just go on till you see Mr. Dan. Itsthe queerest conversation between an old lad and his son ever youheard tell of. 

DANIEL (_reading_). Ah! "The simple forms of machines. The lever, thewedge, the inclined plane--Father--and here we come to further considerthe application of this principle, my dear Charles, to what is knownas the differential wheel and axle. Um Charles--Father--Charles. Father. " (_He looks up despairingly at_ MARY. ) No good, my dear. Outof date. (_He, however, resumes reading the book carefully. _)

KATE (_nudging_ MARY, _and pointing to door into rooms_). She's goinginto all the cupboards and drawers, and looking at everything. (_Sheturns to go back and opens the door to pass through. _) I never seensuch a woman. 

MARY (_raising her voice so as to let_ SARAH _hear her_). Just keep aneye on her, Kate, and see she doesn't take anything. 

DANIEL. I might get something out of this. Atmosphere. Pressure. 

MARY. Uncle Dan. (_He pays no attention, but is absorbed in thebook_). Uncle Dan, I'm going down the loaning a pace. Alick said hemight be back, and I think--(_she sees he is not listening, and slipsback to look over his shoulder. _)

DANIEL (_reading_). Charles. And now my dear father, after discussingin such clear and lucid terms the use of the barometer, and how it isconstructed, could you tell me or explain the meaning of the word"pneumatic. "

MARY (_going towards yard door_). Good luck, Uncle Danny. I'm away. (_She goes out. _)

DANIEL. There's not much here about bellows. (_Hopelessly. _) I wish Ihad made up this subject a little better. (KATE _comes in evidentlymuch perturbed and angry. _)

KATE. The divil take her and them remarks of hers. Who gave her theright to go searching that way, I wonder? Where's the silver kept, andwas it locked, and how many spoons was there, and why weren't theybetter polished; and part of the china broke. 

SARAH (_coming to door and speaking. As soon as_ DANIEL _hears hervoice he hurriedly retreats across to the workshop. _) Where do youkeep the knives and forks?

KATE. You don't want forks for the tea. 

SARAH. I want to count them. 

Kate (_in amazement_). Oh, God save us! You'd think there was a prosson the house! (_She follows_ SARAH _in through door_ MACKENZIE _comesin, followed by_ JOHN, _then_ ANDY. )

MACKENZIE. And it was a great idea, you know. The steam passed throughthe condenser, and the exhaust was never open to the atmosphere. 

JOHN (_evidently much impressed, and repeating the word in a wonderingmanner_) Aye. The exhaust!

MACKENZIE. Aye. The exhaust. But now I'm verra anxious to hear yourbrother explaining what he's made out about the bellows. Its the smallthings like that you ken that a man makes a fortune of, not the bigones. 

JOHN (_impressed_). Do you think that now?

MACKENZIE. You know I take a particular interest in bellows myself. Itried my hand a good while working out a new kind of bellows, and Iflatter myself that I know something about the subject. 

JOHN. Aye. (_Looking round. _) Where's Daniel? Daniel! Are you there, Daniel? (DANIEL _comes out and stands near the door. _) You could maybebring them plans out you're working at and explain it to them now, Daniel. Eh? And wait, Sarah wants to hear it too. (_Calling. _) Are youthere, Sarah?

DANIEL (_seating himself sadly_). Aye. She's in there somewhere takingstock. 

JOHN (_going next door to rooms_). Are you there, dear? (SARAH _comesout. _) Daniel's going to explain the thing to us, and you wanted tohear about it. Didn't you?

SARAH. I'm just dying to know all about it. (_She seats herself to theright at back. _ ANDY _sits on one side of the table and_ MACKENZIE_at the other, expectantly, while_ JOHN _goes over to the fireplacealmost opposite his brother. _) You know, Mr. Daniel, that's one thingwe want very bad in our house--a good fan bellows. 

DANIEL. They are very useful, very. 

JOHN. Aye. They are that. (_To_ SARAH). He has a good head on him, Daniel. Eh? (_To_ DANIEL. ) Now go on and make it very plain so thatevery one can follow you. Bring out the plans and show us. 

DANIEL (_uneasily. _) I can explain it better without them. (_After apause. _) Well, I suppose this subject of bellows would come under theheading of pneumatics in natural philosophy. 

JOHN. Oh, now, don't be going off that way. Could you not make itplainer nor that?

DANIEL (_appealingly_). Well. Could I be much plainer, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE (_cynically_). I'm here to discuss fan bellows, notpneumatics. 

DANIEL (_sotto voce_). D----n him. (_He pulls himself together. _)Well. Then I suppose the first thing is--well--to know what is abellows. 

ANDY. Aye. Man, Daniel, you start off just the same as the clergy. That's the way they always goes on expounding things to you. 

SARAH (_severely_). Don't be interrupting, Andy. 

MACKENZIE (_sneeringly_). Well, I think everyone here knows what abellows is. 

DANIEL. Everyone here? Do you, John?

JOHN. Aye. I would like, Daniel, to hear right what a bellows is. Imean I can see the thing blowing up a fire when you use it, any mancould see that--but its the workings of it. What's the arrangementsand internal works of the bellows now, Daniel?

DANIEL. Well, you push the handles together in an ordinary bellowsand--and the air--blows out. (_Seeing that this statement is receivedcoldly. _) Now, why does it blow out?

JOHN (_disappointedly_). Because it's pushed out of course. There's nosense in asking that sort of a question. 

DANIEL. Well, there's a flap on the bellows--a thing that moves up anddown. Well, that flap has all to do with pushing the air. 

JOHN. Maybe this scientifican business is uninteresting to you, Sarah, is it?

DANIEL (_brightening up at the suggestion_). I'm sure it is. Perhapswe better stop. 

SARAH (_smiling grimly_). Oh, not at all. I want to hear more. 

MACKENZIE. You're wasting a lot of my time, Mr. Murray. I came here tohear about a fan bellows. 

DANIEL (_confusedly_). Oh, yes. Yes. Certainly. Fan bellows. There's adifference between a fan bellows and an ordinary bellows. 

MARY (_opening door from yard and coming in_). Oh, Uncle Dan, are youexplaining it to them. Did I miss much of it?

MACKENZIE. I don't think it matters much what time you come in duringthis. 

JOHN (_impatiently_). Go on, Daniel. 

DANIEL. It's very hard for me to go on with these constantinterruptions. Well, I was just saying there was a difference betweena fan bellows and an ordinary bellows. 

MACKENZIE. Now, what is a fan bellows yourself, Mr. Murray?

DANIEL (_hopelessly_). A fan bellows? Ah. Why now is it called a fanbellows?

MACKENZIE (_roughly_). Don't be asking me my own questions. 

DANIEL (_with a despairing effort_). Well, now we will take it forgranted it is because there must be something of the nature of a fanabout a fan bellows. It is because there are fans inside the casing. And the handle being turned causes these--eh--fans to turn round too. And then the air comes out with a rush. 

JOHN. Aye. It must be the fans that pushes it out. 

DANIEL. Exactly. Well, now, the difficulty we find here is--(_hepauses_). 

ANDY. Aye. 

JOHN. Go on, Daniel. 

DANIEL. You want a constant draught blowing. That's number one. Then--well--the other. You see, if we took some of these fans. 

MACKENZIE. Yes. 

DANIEL (_in a floundering way_). And put them in a tight-fitting case, and put more of them inside, and understood exactly what their sizewas, we could arrange for the way that--

JOHN (_in a puzzled way to_ SARAH). I can only follow Daniel a shortway too. (_Repeating slowly. _) Put them in a tight-fitting case--

BROWN (_appearing at yard door with a telegram in his hand, andspeaking with suppressed excitement_). A telegram for Mr. Daniel. 

DANIEL (_with a gasp of relief_). Ah! (_He tears it open and proudlyreads it out aloud. _) "Come to London at once to explain patent. Wantto purchase. Gregg. "

(BROWN _goes out again. _)

MACKENZIE. Who? Gregg?

DANIEL. I suppose I better go, John?

JOHN. Let's see the telegram. (_He goes over to_ DANIEL, _who hands itto him. _)

MACKENZIE. If you go to London, it'll take you to explain yourself abit better, Mr. Murray. 

JOHN (_who has resumed his place at the fire, and is looking carefullyat the telegram_). That will mean how many pounds, Daniel, did yousay?

DANIEL (_promptly_). Fifteen, John. (MARY _goes out by door torooms. _)

MACKENZIE. Who is Gregg?

DANIEL. Gregg? Ah. He's a man lives in London. Engineer. 

JOHN (_dubiously_). Well, I suppose you--(_he pauses, then hands thetelegram to_ SARAH, _who stretches out her hand for it. _)

MARY (_at door_). Tea's ready. (_She stands aside to let the companypast. _)

SARAH. We didn't hear all about the bellows. 

ANDY (_contemptuously_). No, nor you never will. (_He rises and goesthrough the door. _)

MACKENZIE (_rising and stretching himself wearily_). Any more, Mr. Murray?

DANIEL. I refuse to discuss the matter any further in public. (_Hegoes off across to tea. _)

MACKENZIE (_going over to John and looking at him knowingly_). Do youknow what it is, Mr. Murray? Your brother's nothing short of animpostor. 

JOHN (_much offended_). Don't dare to say that of a Murray. 

MACKENZIE (_shrugging his shoulders_). Well, I'm going for some tea. (_Exit. _)

SARAH. John, I've something to say to you again about Daniel, but thecompany's waiting. (_She goes out to the tea room. _)

JOHN (_sitting down moodily_). Aye. 

MARY. Are you not coming, father?

JOHN. Aye. 

MARY. Father! Surely you aren't going to marry that woman?

JOHN. Don't talk of Sarah that ways. I am!

MARY. Well, if you are, I'm going to say yes to Alick McCready. Idon't want to yet awhile, but I'm not going to stay on here if thatnasty woman comes. (_She kneels close beside her father and puts herarms round his neck. _) Oh, father, if you only give me another chance, I could show you I could keep house every bit as well as that woman. (DANIEL _appears at the door. He slips across to the workshopunobserved. _) Give me another chance, father. Don't marry her at all. Let me stay with you--won't you?

JOHN. You're too late. She's trothed to me now. 

MARY. Pooh. I'd think nothing of that. (DANIEL _comes out of theworkshop with a bag. _) Uncle Dan! What's the matter?

DANIEL. Mary, I can't eat and sit beside that Scotchman. (_He notices_JOHN _is absorbed in deep thought, and motions_ MARY _to slip out. Shedoes so, and he looks observingly at_ JOHN, _and then goes to thetable, and makes a noise with the bag on the table. _ JOHN _watches hima moment or two in amazed silence. _)

JOHN. What are you doing, Daniel?

DANIEL. Just making a few preparations. 

JOHN. Ah, but look here. I haven't settled about London yet, Daniel. 

DANIEL. Oh, London, John. (_Deprecatingly. _) Let that pass. I won'tworry you about that. (_Broken heartedly. _) I'm leaving your house, John. 

JOHN (_astonished_). What?

DANIEL. You've been kind, John. Very kind. We always pulled welltogether, and never had much cross words with one another, but--well, circumstances are altered now. 

JOHN. You mean because I'm going to marry Sarah. 

DANIEL. Exactly. That puts an end to our long and pleasant sojournhere together. I'll have to go. 

JOHN (_affected_). Oh easy, Daniel. Ah, now, Sarah always liked you. She thinks a deal of you, and I'm sure she'd miss you out of the houseas much as myself. 

DANIEL. John, I know better. She wants me out of this, and I wouldonly be a source of unhappiness. I wouldn't like to cause you sorrow. She doesn't believe in me. She brought that Scotchman over to try andshow me up. You all think he did. You think I mugged the thing. Youdon't believe in me now yourself. (_He puts a few articles ofclothing, &c. , into the bag. _)

JOHN (_awkwardly_). Aye. Well--to tell you the truth, Daniel, you didnot make much of a hand at explaining, you----

DANIEL (_pathetically_). I thought so. Look here. One word. (_Hedraws_ JOHN _aside. _) Do you think Mackenzie invented that patentreciprocating piston that he's so proud of?

JOHN (_looking at him in amazement_). What?

DANIEL (_impressively_). Well. I know something about that. He stoleit off another man, and took all the profits. I knew that. Do youthink I'm going to give away the product of my brains explaining it toa man like that! No fear, John. (_He turns again to the bag. _) I'mtaking details of my bellows, and my coat, and a few socks, and thepound you gave me yesterday, and I'm going to face the world alone. 

JOHN (_moved_). No, no. You'll not leave me, Daniel. Ah, no. I nevermeant that. 

DANIEL. If she's coming here I'll have to go, and may as well now. 

SARAH (_without_). John Murray!

DANIEL (_retreating slowly to the workshop_). I'm going to get thatother coat you gave me. It's better than this one for seeing peoplein. (_He goes into workshop as_ SARAH _comes out into the kitchen. Sheis evidently displeased. _)

SARAH. Hurry up, John. The company's waiting on you, and I don't knowwhat's keeping you. Unless it was that brother of yours, more shame tohim. 

JOHN. Aye. Daniel kept me. (_Looking at her. _) He's talking ofleaving. You wouldn't have that, Sarah, would you?

SARAH (_sharply_). Leaving, is he? And a right good riddance say I. What has he done but ate up all your substance. 

JOHN (_astonished_). You wouldn't put him out, Sarah?

SARAH (_snappishly_). I just wouldn't have him about the place. Anidle, good for nothing, useless, old pull a cork. 

JOHN. Do you not like him, Sarah? (_Somewhat disapprovingly. _) Youtold me you thought a good deal of him before. 

SARAH. Aye. Until I seen through him. Him and his letters andtelegrams. Just look at that. (_She shows him the telegram. _) It comesfrom Ballyannis. 

JOHN (_scratching his head in puzzled wonder_). I don't understandthat. 

SARAH. He just put up some one to send it. Young McCready or someone. You couldn't watch a man like that. No. If I come here, out he goes. You expects me to come and save you money and the like of that oldbauchle eating up the profits. (_She goes towards the door into tearoom. _) Come into your tea at once. (_Exit. _)

JOHN. By me sang he was right. (DANIEL _comes out and starts brushinghis coat loudly to attract_ JOHN'S _attention, and then goes acrosstowards him and holds out his hand. _)

DANIEL. I'll say good-bye, John. Maybe I'll never see you again. (_Heappears much affected. _)

JOHN (_touched_). Ach. Take your time. I don't see the sense of thishurrying. Stop a week or two, man. I'll be lonesome without you. Wehad many a good crack in the evenings, Daniel. 

DANIEL. We had, John. And I suppose now that you'll be married I'llhave to go, but many a time I'll be sitting lonely and thinking ofthem. 

JOHN. Aye. You were always the best of company, and heartsome. Youwere, Daniel. 

DANIEL. Well, I did my best, John, to keep--(_he half breaksdown_)--to keep up a good heart. 

JOHN. You did. I wouldn't like to lose you, Daniel. (_He looks at thetelegram in his hand. _) But Daniel. This telegram. It comes fromBallyannis. 

DANIEL (_taken aback, but recovering his self possession. _)Ballyannis? Ballyannis? Ah, of course. Sure Gregg, that London man, hewas to go through Ballyannis to-day. He's on a visit, you know, somewhere this way. It's him I'm going to look for now. 

JOHN. Was that the way of it? (_With rising anger at the thought ofthe way in which his brother has been treated. _) And she was formaking you out an impostor and for putting you out. I didn't likethem talking of a Murray the way they done. 

DANIEL (_with sudden hope_). Are you engaged to that McMinn woman, John?

JOHN. Aye. I spoke the word the day. 

DANIEL. Was there anybody there when you asked her?

JOHN. There was no one. 

DANIEL. Did you write her letters?

JOHN. No. Not a line. 

DANIEL. And did you visit and court much at the home?

JOHN. No. I always seen Andy on business and stopped to have a word ortwo with her. 

DANIEL (_appealingly_). Then, John, John, it's not too late yet. (_Desperately. _) Give me--ah, give wee Mary another chance. 

SARAH (_at door_). Come in, John, at once. Your tea's cold waiting, and it's no way to entertain company that. 

JOHN (_angrily_). D----n her. Daniel! Out of this home you will notgo. I'd rather have your crack of a winter night as two hundred poundsin the bank and yon woman. (_He reaches out his hand. _) I'll break thematch. (_The two men shake hands. _)

(CURTAIN. )

ACT III

_The same scene two weeks later. _ BROWN _comes in by yard door holdingletters in his hand, which he examines curiously at intervals. _

BROWN (_shouting loudly_). Miss Mary! Are you there, Miss Mary?

KATE (_coming in from parlour_). Hi there. Stop that shouting. D'yewant to wake the dead?

BROWN. I want to give these letters to Miss Mary. Where is she?

KATE. Who're they for? Let's look at them. 

BROWN. Not for you anyway. (_Loudly. _) Miss Mary. 

KATE. Ach quit deaving me with your shouting. 

MARY (_coming in_). What's the matter? Oh! Letters! Any for me, Sam?

BROWN. Aye. There's a post card for you, Miss Mary, and a registeredletter for Mr. John. The posty says he'll call on the road back forthe account when you sign it. (_He hands the post card to_ MARY _andlooks carefully at the letter. _) It's like the MCMINN writing that. (_He looks at_ MARY, _who is reading and re-reading the post card witha puzzled expression. _) Isn't Mr. Dan to be home to-day from Belfast, Miss Mary?

MARY. Eh?

BROWN. Isn't Mr. Dan expected home to-day from Belfast?

MARY. Yes. 

BROWN. I wonder did he get the bellows sold? There was great talkingabout him last night in McArn's. Some said he had sold it and made afortune. (_He breaks off abruptly on seeing that_ MARY _pays noattention to him, and then peers over to see what she is reading. _)Post cards is interesting things. Picture post cards is. 

KATE. Here. Away out and get them purtas dug for the dinner. We'retired hearing your gabble. 

BROWN (_retreating to door and eyeing_ KATE _meaningly_). The masterwas complaining again to me yesterday evening about the dinner he got. There's no mistake he likes his meat like myself, and right enough itwas bad yesterday. I was chowing haws all evening to keep off thehunger. 

KATE. Go on you out of this. 

BROWN. That's all the news this morning. (_He makes a grimace at_ KATE_and goes out into the yard. _)

MARY. I can't understand this post card. (KATE _goes over and looks atit along with_ MARY. )

 "O wad that God the gift wad gie us, To see oorselves as ithers see us. "

What does that mean? "How's the uncle?" It's some cheeky personanyway--"from D. M. " Who could that be?

KATE. It's not McCready, Miss, is it?

MARY. No. That's not his writing. 

KATE. Och, Miss Mary! Do you see the picture of the Highland mandancing, and under it--"A Mackenzie Clansman. " It's thon Scotch fellowsent it. 

MARY. Just like the way he would do. I met him again one night we wereover at the doctor's, and he was trying to make up to me all he wasable. 

KATE. Aye. Any word from Mr. Dan about the boy he was to bring you?

MARY. No. I'm not going to bother any more about boys, I'm going tokeep house from this on properly. But Uncle Dan said something in hislast letter about a great surprise he had for all of us. 

KATE. Surprise enough it will be, and he lands home with a ha'penny inhis pocket. The last time he come home he borrowed a shilling of meand niver paid me back yet. Did he sell the plans of the bellows, Miss?

MARY. He didn't say. (JOHN MURRAY _comes through yard door. He hasevidently been working outside and has left his work in a hurry. _)Father, there's a letter for you. (_She hands it to him. _) Aregistered one too. 

JOHN. Aye. So Brown was telling me. Maybe its from thon McAlenanfellow that owes me two pound for the heifer. (_He tears it open. _MARY _and_ KATE _watch him with interest. His face changes as hereads, and an expression of dismay comes over it. _)

MARY (_coming closer to him_). What's the matter, father?

JOHN (_fidgeting uneasily_). Nothing, child. Nothing. (_He looks atthe letter again. _) Well I'm--(_He stops short on remembering_ MARY_is there. _) She's a caution. 

MARY. Father. Tell me. Is it from the McMinns?

JOHN. Aye. (_Pacing up and down. _) I knowed she'd do it. I knowedshe'd do it. 

MARY. What?

JOHN. Sarah's taking an action against me. 

MARY. An action?

JOHN. Aye. (_Consulting the letter. _) For a thousand pounds. 

MARY (_awestruck_). A thousand pounds!

JOHN. Aye. Now the fat's in the fire. She says I promised to marry herand broke it off. At least, it's Andy that writes the letter, but it'sher that put him up to it. I know that too well. (_Reading. _) "To Mr. John Murray. Dear Sir, --You have acted to my sister in a mostungentlemanly way, and done her much wrong, and I have put the caseintil the hands of Mr. McAllen, the solicitor, who will bring itforward at the coming Assizes. If you wish, however, to avoid ascandal, we are oped to settle the matter by private arrangement forone thousand pounds. Yours truly, Andrew McMinn. "

MARY. That's awful, father, isn't it?

JOHN (_going over to fireplace and standing there irresolutely_). Aye. It's a terrible mess, right enough. 

MARY (_brightening up_). Sure she wouldn't get a thousand off you, father?

KATE. There's John McArdle up by Slaney Cross got a hundred poundstook off him by wee Miss Black, the school teacher. 

JOHN (_uncomfortably_). Aye. Heth now, I just call that to mind. Andhe never got courting her at all, I believe. 

KATE. It just served him right. He was always a great man for havingfive or six girls running after him. 

JOHN. And she hadn't much of a case against him. 

KATE. The school children were standing by when he asked her in ajoking sort of way would she marry him, and the court took theirevidence. 

JOHN (_hopelessly_). Aye. Men are always terrible hard on other menwhere women are concerned. 

KATE. And a good job it is, or half the girls would be at the churchwaiting, and the groom lying at home rueing his bargain. (_She goesout by yard door. _)

MARY (_going up to her father_). Father, has she a good case againstyou?

JOHN (_after a moment of deep thought_). No. I don't think it. 

MARY. Don't worry so much then, father. 

JOHN. It's the jury I'm so frightened of. They all come from themountainy district at this Assizes, and there's not a man of them butwouldn't put a knife in me, the way I get beating them down in priceat the fairs. 

MARY. I don't think they'd give her fifty pounds when they see her. It's only good looking girls would get big sums like a thousandpounds. 

JOHN. It's all very well, Mary, but she could dress herself to looknice enough, the same Sarah, if she liked. 

MARY. She could not, indeed. 

JOHN. They say, at least Brown was hinting to me, that its yon Scotchfellow, Mackenzie, has put up the McMinns to this business. He andthat connection are as thick as thieves. 

MARY. He mightn't be so very fond of them. When a man sends post cardsto a girl he doesn't know very well, he's got a wee bit of a likingfor her. 

JOHN. What are you talking about? I never sent her any post cards. 

MARY. Father, what are you going to do?

JOHN (_despairingly_). I'm d----d if I know. 

MARY. Will you defend the case?

JOHN. I don't want to go near the court at all. 

MARY. Father! (_Alarmed. _) Father! Sure you wouldn't--you couldn'tthink of marrying her after all that row that happened? (JOHN _remainssilent. _) Wouldn't you rather lose a thousand pounds and keep me, father? (JOHN _breaks a piece of soda bread morosely and eats it. _)Wouldn't you, father. 

JOHN. Ah! (_He spits out the bread. _) Heaven save us, what kind ofbread's that?

MARY (_taking away the bread and putting it behind her back. _) Father!Ah please, please, don't marry her anyway. Sure you won't?

BROWN (_coming in hastily_). Here's Mr. Dan coming up the loaning, sir, that grand looking you'd hardly know him, and a big cigar in hismouth. 

JOHN. Daniel back?

MARY. Oh, I must go out and meet him. (_She goes out by yard doorquickly. _)

JOHN. Had he his luggage with him?

BROWN. Aye. He has yon big portmanteau of his, and a parcel ofsomething or other. 

JOHN. Away out and help him then, can't you? (BROWN _goes out. _) Iwonder what kept him in Belfast all this time. I suppose he's spentmost of the five pounds I gave him. Like enough. I never mind himcoming back yet with a ha'penny on him. (_He sits down at thefireplace and looks again at the letter. _) A thousand pounds! Andthere never was a breach of promise case known where they didn't bringin a verdict for the woman. Never! (_He becomes absorbed in thought, and as he sits ruminating_ MARY _opens the door, carrying a largebrown paper parcel, followed by_ DANIEL. DANIEL _is dressed fairlywell, and seems to be in high spirits. _ BROWN _follows him carrying aportmanteau. _)

DANIEL (_brightly_). Home again, John. 

JOHN (_morosely_). Aye. It was near time, I think. 

DANIEL. Saw quite a number of people this time, John. A great number. They were all very much interested. Fine town, Belfast. Growing veryrapidly. Wonderful place. 

MARY. What's in the parcel? (_She looks at it with great curiosity. _)

DANIEL. Ah, that--that't the great secret. Mum's the word. All in goodtime, Mary. 

BROWN. Will I leave your bag here, Mr. Dan?

DANIEL. Yes. Here's a sixpence for you. (_He hands it to_ BROWN. )

JOHN. You're brave and free-handed with your money. Giving the like ofthat bauchle sixpence. (BROWN, _who is going out through yard door, stares back at his master protestingly, and then goes out. _) The Lordknows but we will be wanting every ha'penny we can scrape together, and soon enough. 

MARY. I didn't tell Uncle Dan yet, father. 

DANIEL (_seating himself near the workshop door_). Has anythinghappened?

MARY. Yes. Sarah McMinn has----

JOHN. Read that letter, Daniel. (_He goes across and hands_ DANIEL_the letter, and goes back to the fireplace to watch him. _)

DANIEL (_taking out his glasses and solemnly perusing the letter_). Um. 

JOHN. Well? What do you think of that?

DANIEL (_endeavouring to appear cheerful. _) Keep up a stout heart, John. You're safe enough. 

JOHN. Oh, heth, I'm not so sure of that. Sure you never heard tell ofa jury yet that didn't give damages against the defendant in a breachof promise case. Did you now?

DANIEL. Tuts, man. She has no case. 

JOHN. Case or no case it doesn't seem to matter. What sort of case hadJennie Black against John McArdle, of Slaney Cross? None. What sort ofcase had Maggie McAndless against old William Boyd? None at all. I wasat both of them trials and says to Pat McAleenan--"the girl has nocase at all!" But for all that they brought in a verdict for onehundred pounds against McArdle, and they put two hundred against oldBoyd, and nearly broke the two of them. 

DANIEL. It's very awkward this. 

JOHN. Did you do anything, Daniel about the bellows?

DANIEL. The bellows? Aye. (_He points at the parcel. _) A good deal, John. It's all there. But it's all not quite settled yet. A day or twomore and you'll see. If all goes well I'll have a great surprise foryou in a day or two. 

JOHN (_disgustedly_). Ach! I suppose you spent every ha'penny of themoney, too, that I gave you?

DANIEL. John. Another surprise for you! Those people I met and wentto, put me up very cheap for the week. Very cheap. (_He produces somemoney. _) Therees one pound ten and sixpence for you. 

JOHN. What?

DANIEL. I'll keep the pound to do me to the end of the month and notask you for any more, John, after that. That is if--well--(_He looksat the parcel. _) That thing there is all right. 

JOHN (_pocketing the ten and sixpence after counting it carefully_). Daniel. I'm sorry, but there's an account of some thirty shillings Iowe the McArdles, and I want to pay it the night. So if you don'tmind--(_He holds out his hand. _)

DANIEL (_unwillingly_). Well, I suppose it can't be helped, John. Butit leaves me just with nothing. However, there you are. (_He handsthe pound over to him. _ SAM BROWN _opens the yard door and peeps incautiously. _)

JOHN (_looking at him angrily_). What ails _you_ anyway?

BROWN. If you please sir, the posty wants the account signed for thatletter. 

MARY. Oh, I forgot all about that. (_She picks up the receipt for theletter from the table. _) I'll sign it for you, father. (_She goes overto_ BROWN, _who whispers somethings. She nods. _) And I'll give it tohim myself. (_She goes out following_ BROWN. )

JOHN. It's a serious business, this, about the McMinns. 

DANIEL. You're all right, man. Wait a day or two. Take my advice. Donothing in a hurry. Sit down and think it over the way I do when I'mworking out a new idea. Don't rush things. It will all come right inthe end. Just you wait and see if it doesn't. 

JOHN. Would it not be better to settle before going into the court?You know I couldn't stand being pointed out to of a Sunday morning andone and another talking--"There's the man that Sarah McMinn took thebreach of promise case against. " No, I couldn't stand that at all. Itwould be a disgrace to the Murrays for ever. I'm wondering now----(_Hepauses lost in thought. _)

DANIEL (_alarmed_). John. Surely you wouldn't--you couldn't think ofgoing back on what you said to me. Would you?

JOHN. I wonder, Daniel, would you mind so much after all if I marriedher?

DANIEL (_in an agonised voice_). I couldn't stand it. No, John, Icouldn't stay. Any other woman but that McMinn. 

MARY (_appearing at the door followed by_ ALICK MCCREADY). Come on in, Alick. 

ALICK. Good morning, Mr. Murray. How are you, Mr. Dan? So you are backagain? We're all glad to have you back. 

DANIEL. Thank you, Alick. 

MARY. Father. Alick says he heard Andy McMinn talking yesterday tosome one at McArdle's shop, and he was telling them all about thewhole business, and blaming it all on Uncle Dan. 

JOHN. And so the people are talking of me already? Now that I come tothink of it, it was your Uncle Dan, and a brave ha'penny it's going tocost me. One thousand pounds. 

ALICK. Never mind, Mr. Murray. Maybe Uncle Dan will do something yet. What about the bellows? (DAN _makes a horrified movement to stop_ALICK _talking, but too late. _)

JOHN. Aye. Here, Daniel. I'll make a bargain with you. I'll leave youto the settling of the case, and you can find the money yourself topay for it if you want to. And if you can't find the money, I'll marryher. 

MARY. Father, surely----

JOHN. What? That's enough about it. I would as soon do without themarrying if I could. I don't want the woman at all, but I'll marry herbefore she gets a ha'penny off me. So you can settle it amongyourselves. You can take charge of that letter, Dan, and make the bestyou can of it. (_He goes angrily out by yard door. _)

DANIEL. This is a nice mess you put me in for, Alick. What the divilmade you mention the bellows?

ALICK. I'm sorry, Mr. Dan. I wasn't thinking. 

DANIEL. The sooner you start and think a bit the better. If you don'thelp to settle the case--(_he looks angrily at_ ALICK)--well--I've agood deal of influence with somebody. (_He looks significantly at_MARY, _who is again examining the parcel. _)

ALICK. I'll do my best, Mr. Dan, to help you. 

MARY. What will we do, Uncle Dan?

DANIEL. I suppose you've no money, Alick?

ALICK. Well, I haven't much ready money, Mr. Dan, but I could lend youup to twenty pounds at a pinch. 

MARY. Twenty pounds would hardly be enough. Would it, uncle?

ALICK. Better get hold of Andy and ask him. 

DANIEL. I don't like going near that woman at all. 

MARY. Alick! Could you not slip over and ask Andy to come across? Youknow what the McMinns are like. He'd come over for a shilling if hethought he'd get one. Ah, yes. You will, Alick. Won't you?

ALICK. I'll go straight across now if you--if you----

MARY. What?

ALICK. If you'd leave us along the road a bit. 

DANIEL. Aye. Do. Mary. Leave him down to the gate anyway. I want tostay here and think over things a wee bit. That't the good wee girl. (_He gently urges her out with_ ALICK, _then goes over to the table, lifts the parcel, and sits down near the fireplace. Feeling theparcel. _) I'm afraid, Dan Murray, it's all U. P. This time. I'm afraidit is. (_Then an idea seems to dawn on him, and he looks at theparcel. _) Unless--unless--well--I wonder now if I--

(KATE _and_ BROWN _enter through yard door. _ BROWN _is carrying abucket filled with washed potatoes. _)

KATE. There. Put it down there. You didn't know we wanted that much, did you not? You're getting as big an old liar as Mr. --(_She stopsshort on perceiving_ DANIEL. )

BROWN (_looking up and then realising what had made her pause_). Aye. Go on. As who do you say, woman?

KATE (_recovering herself_). Just as big an old liar as Andy McMinn. 

BROWN. Now, whist. The McMinns were aye decent folk. (_He glancesacross at_ DANIEL, _who apparently is not listening. _) They're nearpeople, and all that sort of thing, but once they say a thing theystick to it. 

KATE. They're a lot of mean scrubs, the whole caboosh of them. 

DANIEL (_to himself_). I wonder would twenty pounds be any use atall?

BROWN (_nudging_ KATE _slyly_). I believe that once Sarah puts a priceon a thing, like a pig or a sow, or a hen, the divil himself couldn'tbeat her down in the price of it. And Andy, they say, can beat thebest dealer in the county from here to the Mourne. (DANIEL, _who hasbeen listening uneasily, gets up and turns round to look at them. _)It's the fine cigar that you were smoking, Mr. Daniel, this morning. 

DANIEL. Cigar? Yes. Yes. 

BROWN. Aye. A fine cigar, sir. There was a grand smell off it. I seenyou coming up by the McMinns, sir, this morning on the road from thestation. 

DANIEL. Yes. On the road from the station. 

BROWN. You didn't see them, but I noticed Andy and Sarah coming out tothe gate when you had passed them and looking after you a long time. 

DANIEL. Is that so?

BROWN. Aye. A long time, sir. I suppose, like myself, they smelled thecigar. (DANIEL _at once throws down the cigar in disgust. _) Mr. Andy, they say, is guy fond of a good cigar, and I understand that he'll befor getting a few boxes of them soon, for the sister, they say, iscoming into a lot of money. 

KATE. Ach, you and your cigars! Will you get out of this and quittormenting people? Go on. Out you go. 

BROWN (_as if out of curiosity, picks up the cigar and goes outslowly_). 

DANIEL. He's a very impertinent man that. Very worrisome. 

KATE. Ach, never heed him, Mr. Dan! sure no one in this house does. You'll be tired after travelling, sir. Will I make you a drop of tea?

DANIEL. It's hard to eat anything, Kate, when I'm worried. (_Despairingly. _) I don't think there's another man living that hasthe same worries as I have. Something awful! Where's the pen and ink, I wonder?

KATE. There's some here on the dresser, Miss Mary was using itto-day. (_She takes it over from the dresser to the table. _ DANIEL_rises and goes over and sits down and begins slowly to write. _) Cheerup, Mr. Daniel. Sure you sold the plans of the bellows anyway. Didn'tyou, sir? They had word up at the McAleenans the other night that yougot two thousand for it. 

DANIEL (_astonished_). Eh? They said that. 

KATE. Aye. To be sure. McAndless told McArdle, and he told Smith thepostman, and the postman told the McAleenans, and said he had seenletters about it. And McAleenan was up in McMinns the other night andtold them, and I believe you never saw such an astonished crowd ofpeople in all their lives. 

DANIEL. He told the McMinns that?

KATE. Aye, last night I think it was. 

DANIEL. Last night? (_He looks at the letter. _) Yesterday was the14th, wasn't it? Aye. It was. I wonder did they believe McAleenan?

KATE. I don't think they know right what to make of it. And yonScotchman was there at the time, and mind you, Mr. Dan, they say helooked quite serious when he heard it, and said such things as thathappened many's a time. 

DANIEL (_incredulously_). Mackenzie said that?

KATE. Aye. You know, I think it's maybe because he has a wee notion ofMiss Mary, sir. 

DANIEL. It's quite possible. Quite possible. A nice wee girl is Mary. Fact, too good for the half of the clodhoppers about these parts. (_Hetakes up the parcel, pen, and ink, and paper, and goes across into theworkshop. _)

KATE (_looking after him_). Poor creature. I'm feared he's for theroad again if he doesn't worry out some way for himself. And God knowshe's the one best fitted for it. (MARY _enters. _) Well, did you seehim off comfortably?

MARY. Who?

KATE. Alick McCready. 

MARY. Kate. I with you'd mind your own business. 

KATE. It's a sore time I have in this house minding my own and everyother bodies' business. 

MARY. Kate. He said I couldn't bake a cake to save my life. I'll justshow him that I can, and you're not to help me, mind you. I'm going todo it all myself. 

MARY. Where's the flour?

KATE. There's none in the house, Miss Mary. 

MARY. What?

KATE. You mind it was all used up this morning on account of themcakes that nearly killed your poor ould da. 

MARY. Go down to McArdles, Kate, and get a quarter stone on account. 

KATE. Your da told me this morning, Miss Mary, that I wasn't to getany more from McArdles or any other place unless he gives me an orderfor it. Do you not mind?

MARY (_dejectedly_). So he did. I had forgotten. 

KATE. Aye. Quite so, Miss. (_She sits down contentedly. _)

MARY. I wonder is Uncle Dan about?

KATE. Aye. He's in his workshop, Miss. 

MARY (going over and knocking at door of workshop). Uncle Dan!

DANIEL (_appearing at door_). Well, Mary?

MARY. Uncle Dan, could you give me sixpence?

DANIEL (_jumbling in his pockets_). Sixpence? Sixpence, Mary? Blessyour wee heart. Here. Here's a two shilling bit. But Mary, mum's theword. Don't tell John I gave it to you. 

MARY. No. Thank you, uncle. (DANIEL _goes in again. _) There, Kate, quick as you can and don't stop to talk to anybody. Sure you won't?(_She hands_ KATE _the money and takes up the recipe book. _)

KATE. I'm not dirty looking--am I, Miss Mary?

MARY (_absorbed in the book_). No. You'll do grand. Flour, currants. 

KATE. Ach! You and your currants. Could you not tell a body was herface clean?

MARY. It's lovely. Hurry, Kate. (KATE _shrugs her shouldersdisgustedly, and goes out by yard door. _) Flour, currants----(_Shegoes over to the workshop door and listens_)--raisins--(_A sound as ofa blast blowing can be heard. _ MARY _becomes intensely interested, and, throwing aside the book, kneels down and puts her head to thekeyhole. _) He's actually got something to work. (_She peeps in. _) Hehas, indeed. (_She laughs, knocks loudly at the door, and then runs tothe other side of the kitchen. _ DANIEL _opens the door and cautiouslypeeps out. _) Uncle Danny! Ha! Ha! Uncle Danny! (_Dancing up and downin front of the fireplace. _) Uncle Dan's a wonderful man! Uncle Dan'sa wonderful man!

DANIEL (_amazed_). What's all this?

MARY. I'm a cleverer girl than you think, Uncle Dan! I know your greatsurprise. I've found it out. And you've actually got it to work!That's splendid, uncle, isn't it? Father will be awful proud when hehears about it. And you did it all yourself, uncle?

DANIEL. Well, I took those plans, Mary, to a handy chap, anacquaintance of mine, and he made it out according to my design. I'mnot sure--I think it works all right. 

MARY. And did you get it sold, uncle?

DANIEL. No, Mary, but I have hopes--great hopes. (_He wanders up tothe window apparently searching for the screw driver. _)

MARY. Do you think you'd get more than one thousand pounds for it?

DANIEL (_looking out of window and seeing someone approaching_). Don'tknow, Mary. Don't know. Very hard to know these things. Where couldthat screw driver be I wonder?

MARY. I think I saw father working with it last at something in theparlour. Will I get it for you, Uncle Dan? (_Knocking at door. _)

DANIEL. No. Never mind, Mary. I'll get it myself. There's someone atthe door. You better open the door, Mary. (_He goes off hurriedly toparlour. _) (_Knocking at yard door. _) Come in. (DONAL MACKENZIE _opensthe door and comes in. _)

MACKENZIE. Fine afternoon, Miss Murray. 

MARY (_coldly_). Good day to you. 

MACKENZIE. I'm going off to Scotland verra soon, and I thought I wouldcall over to see you before I went off. You're no angry, are you?

MARY. No. (MACKENZIE _seats himself at the table. _)

MACKENZIE. Did you get a post card?

MARY. I got some silly thing this morning that I tore up. 

MACKENZIE. I'm sorry. I'm verra fond of you, Mary. 

MARY. Miss Murray, please. 

MACKENZIE. A girl like you is lost here, you know. Now, if you were aScotch lassie you would have a great time enjoying yourself. In aplace like Greenock we have a theatre, and we have a music hall and acinematograph show on Saturdays and trains to Glasgow. You could havea grand time in Scotland. 

MARY. Do you really like me, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE. Verra much. Indeed I--

MARY. Well. Look here. I would like you very, very much too, ifyou----

MACKENZIE. If I what, bonnie Mary?

MARY. I'd even let you call me Mary, and write to me if you wanted to, if you would do me a favour. 

MACKENZIE. What's the favour?

MARY. Uncle Dan has brought home his fan bellows, and it works. 

MACKENZIE (_laughs_). The fan bellows! I think he'll never make muchof a fortune of his fan bellows. 

MARY. Do you ever examine new inventions?

MACKENZIE. Aye. I'm a specialist on that, you know. I'm the writer ofthe inventions column in the Scottish----

MARY. Yes. Yes. That's all right. I know. Are all the inventions youwrite about good things?

MACKENZIE. Eh? Ninety-nine per cent. Rotten, lassie. Ninety-nine percent. Perfectly rotten. People don't invent a reciprocating pistonthat works every day in the week, or a fan bellows either. 

MARY. But if you liked the inventor you could do him a good turn allthe same?

MACKENZIE. Aye. I did that often. 

MARY. Then could you do a good turn for Uncle Dan?

MACKENZIE. Give the bellows a boost up. No, Mary. I could nae. I don'tlike to grieve you, but committing perjury--No. I couldn't do it, Mary. 

MARY (_coming closer_). Yes. You would. You'd do it for me. Won't you?

MACKENZIE. Eh?

MARY. Look. Uncle Dan has his new fan bellows in that workshop. Go inand look at it, and if you do like me really, you could tell theMcMinns that it was good--even if it wasn't quite perfect. 

MACKENZIE (_hesitatingly_). Um. I'll consider the question. 

(DANIEL _re-enters. He stops short on seeing_ MACKENZIE, _and seems tobecome very uncomfortable. _)

MARY. Uncle Dan! Mr. Mackenzie's going to examine your bellows. 

DANIEL. I don't allow everybody to go and look at it. No. I refuse. It's my property and no one else's. 

MARY. Uncle Dan. (_She looks at him meaningly. _) Mr. Mackenzie haspromised to give his opinion on it. 

DANIEL. It's not protected yet by patent. 

MACKENZIE. Andy McMinn is coming over, Mr. Murray. He has got ordersfrom his sister to settle the case for her. Are you going to pay themoney?

DANIEL. That is a matter of my own deciding. (MARY _goes over to heruncle and whispers to him. _)

MACKENZIE. Verra well. I may go. (_To_ MARY. ) I would have done youthat good turn, Miss Murray; but there's no enmity between us. And(_lowering his voice_)--I hope you get the best of the McMinns in thebargain. Don't give in, Mr. Murray, easy. Take my tip. I'm from thestables, you know. (_He laughs knowingly. _)

MARY. Here's Andy now (_she looks out through the window_), andAlick's with him. (_She opens the door, _ ANDY MCMINN _and_ MCCREADY_enter. _ MCCREADY _glances at_ MARY _and_ MACKENZIE, _and goes oversulkily to the fireplace. _ ANDY _advances awkwardly towards_ DANIEL. )

DANIEL (_genially_). Good afternoon, Andy. 

ANDY. Good afternoon. (_He looks at_ MACKENZIE, _who nods curtly. _) Isuppose you know I've power to settle the case. 

DANIEL. Well, you wrote the letter, and so, in point of law, I thinkit is you who should look after all this unfortunate business. Believeme, Andy, I sympathise with you. I do indeed. (MARY _and_ MACKENZIE_become absorbed in conversation near the table. _ ALICK MCCREADY_stands at the fireplace looking at them and unable to conceal hisjealousy, makes sundry odd noises to distract_ MARY'S _attention. Shepretends not to hear him. _) I have your letter here. (_He searches inhis pocket and produces it. _) Yes. One thousand pounds. Do you notthink that a trifle high?

ANDY. Well. You know we could have as easily claimed two thousand, butwe didn't like to break you altogether; so we just said that athousand would come pretty near it. 

MACKENZIE. Mr. Daniel, may I look at the bellows?

MARY. Uncle Dan, I'm sure you won't object. (_She makes a gesture asif asking him to assent. _)

DANIEL (_looking hard at her, and then seeming to understand what sheis about_). Yes. Yes. I'll thrash out the matter here with Andy. (MACKENZIE _goes across into the workshop, followed by_ MARY. MCCREADY_sits down disconsolately at the fireplace and begins to smoke hispipe moodily. _) A thousand pounds is impossible. Absolutely out ofthe question. 

MCCREADY (_to himself_). Ach. She only torments me. 

DANIEL (_looking over wonderingly_). Eh? People behave strangelysometimes, Andy. Very strangely. (MCCREADY _makes no response, butsits with his back to the two of them. _) Just a moment, Andy. Whatabout a wee drink. Eh, Andy?

ANDY. Aye. Well, I wouldn't mind at all, Daniel. 

DANIEL. Just to show there's no ill-feeling over this unfortunatebusiness. (_He goes to the clock, opens the panel door and takes out abottle of whiskey, gets glasses from the dresser and pours out a smallportion of whiskey into each. _) Good health, Andy. 

ANDY. Good health, Daniel. (_They drink. _)

DANIEL. Now to go on with our business. I don't think, in the firstcase, that this was an affaire de coeur, as the Frenchmen say. 

ANDY. Eh?

DANIEL. You don't understand French? Of course not. No. It wasn't alove affair, I mean. I don't think Sarah was in love with John, wasshe?

ANDY (_hesitatingly_). Well--indeed, now, I don't know that she was. 

DANIEL. No. We're all aware of that. He was just what we'd call alikely man. That's all. 

ANDY. Aye. He would have been a good match for her. 

DANIEL. Yes. Quite so, Andy. He would have been a good match for her. (_He makes notes in a pocket book. _) Nothing like notes, Andy. Now, somuch for the love part of the business. They never exchanged letters?

ANDY. No. No letters. 

DANIEL (_writing_). No letters. Of course in a breach of promiseletters are a great help. A great help. I'm very glad, however, justfor your sister's sake, that she never wrote any to John. Imagine themreading out the love letters in the open court, and all the servantboys gaping and laughing. 

ANDY. It's not nice, right enough. It's one thing I wouldn't like. 

DANIEL. No. It's one thing we would not like. Well. No love. Noletters. Next thing. He never courted her?

ANDY. Well, he came over and sat in the house a few nights. 

DANIEL. Yes. No doubt. But hadn't he always some message on businessto transact with you? Loan of a plough or a horse, or something likethat?

ANDY (_uneasily_). That's so, of course. 

DANIEL. Ah, yes. That's so, of course. 

ANDY. But I seen him with his arm round her the night of the social atthe school house. 

DANIEL. Andy. That's a wee failing of John's. I often warned him aboutdoing that sort of thing indiscriminately. A bit of a ladies' man, John, in his way. I saw him do the same nonsense four or five timesthat night with other girls. John likes to think himself a bit of agay dog, you know. It's not right--I don't think myself it's a bitproper to put your arm round a girl's waist on every occasion, butsometimes it's quite allowable. A night like a social, for instance. 

ANDY. Aye. Of course a social's different. 

DANIEL. Aye, Andy, a social's different. Well, now. No love, noletters, no courting, no photographs exchanged? (_He looks at_ ANDY_inquiringly_). No photographs exchanged? (_He notes it down. _) Noring? In fact, Andy, no nothing. 

ANDY. But he proposed to her right enough. 

DANIEL. Who said so?

ANDY (_astonished_). What? Do you mean to deny he didn't?

DANIEL. My dear Andy, I don't know. There was no one there but thetwo, I suppose, when he asked her--if he did ask her. There's only herword for it. 

ANDY. He wouldn't deny it himself?

DANIEL. Well. That depends on whether he really asked her to marry himof course. And it's likely enough that John would be inclined to denyit if his memory was at all bad--it is a bad memory he has, you know. He forgets often to return your ploughs and that sort of thing. 

ANDY (_blankly_). Aye. He has a bad memory. 

DANIEL. Yes. Just so. And the fact that a verdict of one thousandpounds would hang on it would hardly make it any better. Would it?You've a bad case against us, Andy. A rotten case! In fact, lookingover the whole thing carefully, do you really believe you'd make evena ten pound note out of us?

ANDY (_despairingly_). I wish Sarah had come and settled the caseherself. 

DANIEL. Ah, no. You've a better head, Andy, for seeing the sensibleside of a thing, far better. (MARY _comes out of the workshop smilinggaily. _) Well?

MARY. Uncle Dan, he's delighted with it. 

ANDY. What with? The bellows?

MARY. Yes. Go in, Andy, till you see it. 

ANDY. Is it true, Daniel, you were offered two thousand for it?

DANIEL. We'll just go in and have a look at it. (ANDY _and he go intoworkshop. _)

MARY (_looking across at_ ALICK). What's the matter?

ALICK. Nothing. I'm going home. (_He goes across to the yard door. _)

MARY. Alick!

MCCREADY. Goodbye. 

MARY. And I was going to go to all the trouble of baking a big plumcake for you, you big ungrateful thing. 

MCCREADY (_stopping at the door_). I know what your plum cakes wouldbe like. (_He opens the door and stops again before going out. _)

MARY. Well, get that big, ugly Maggie Murphy to bake them for youthen. 

MCCREADY (_looking out through door and then coming inside again_). Isay, here's Kate and your father coming and a load of flour. 

MARY (_in a frightened voice_). Kate and father?

MCCREADY. He seems to be in a bit of a temper. 

MARY (_in a frightened voice_). He's caught her with the flour!

MCCREADY (_laughing_). Flour? Aye--she's carrying about three stone ofit! Boys, but that would make a powerful pudding!

MARY. It was to have been the nicest one I could have baked. 

MCCREADY (_coming in and going over to her_). Mary. 

MARY. What?

MCCREADY. You wouldn't come to my house where there would be no stintof flour or raisins or anything else, and I'd eat all you cooked forme no matter if I was dying after it. 

MARY. Go to your house!

ALICK. Aye. Look here, wee girl. I got this----(_He fumbles andproduces a ring. _) Let me put that on your wee finger, won't you?

MARY. Oh, Alick, what a lovely wee ring. (_She allows him to put it onher finger, and is shyly kissing him when_ JOHN _enters, followed by_KATE, _who is trying vainly to stop a leak in the bag of flour whichshe is carrying. _ KATE _goes to the dresser and places the bag onit. _)

JOHN (_severely to_ MARY). Mary. Did you send her for more flour?

MARY (_meekly_). Yes, father. 

JOHN. And didn't I leave word there was no more to be got without myorders? (MARY _hangs her head. _) It's lamentable the waste in thishouse! I was just looking at the pass book last night, and you'd thinkthis house was a bakery to see the amount of flour comes into it. 

MARY (_submissively_). I'm sorry, father. 

JOHN. When I was out on the road, I seen a trail of flour leading upour loaning, and says I to myself, Jeminy' father, are they gettingsome more! So I followed up the mark and just caught up on her comingthrough the gate. 

MARY (_a little defiantly_). It's paid for, Kate, anyway. Isn't it?

KATE. It is, Miss. (_She busies herself putting the flour into a box, and then slips out during the next speech. _)

JOHN. Eh? Who give you the money?

MARY (_going over to her father and whispering_). Uncle Dan is inthere, father, with Andy McMinn and Mr. Mackenzie, the Scotchengineer, looking at his bellows. 

JOHN (_amazed_). Eh? Andy McMinn? Is Dan settling the case?

MARY. I believe he'll do it yet. 

JOHN (_admiringly_). He has a great head on him, Daniel. 

MACKENZIE (_coming out of workshop and going over to_ MARY). Mary, I'msorry. That bellows is such an absolutely rotten thing--so useless andso absolutely rotten that I can't--(_He sees_ JOHN. ) How are you, Mr. Murray?

JOHN. Fine day. 

MARY (_appealingly_). Mr. Mackenzie, what did you say to Andy aboutit?

MACKENZIE. What did I say? Oh, ma perjured conscience--I said it was agrand thing. (DANIEL _and_ ANDY MCMINN _come in from workshop. _)

ANDY (_nervously_). Brave day, John. 

JOHN. Aye. It is. 

ANDY. Sarah gave me power to settle the case. 

JOHN. I'm glad to hear it. 

MACKENZIE. I tell you what it is, Mr. Daniel Murray. It's a good thingthat--a right good thing, and I'll make you an offer for it. 

ANDY (_eagerly_). What's it worth?

MACKENZIE (_with a look at_ MARY). It's worth--it's worth more thanall the damages your sister will get from Mr. Murray. 

DANIEL (_suddenly_). I tell you what it is, Andy, and believe me whenI tell you, I'm sacrificing a great deal. I'll make a deal with you. Instead of a lump sum cash down, I'll hand over all the rights androyalties of that same bellows to you to settle the case. 

ANDY (_dubiously_). I--I don't know. 

DANIEL. You will have all the expense of the law, the bad name thatyour sister will be having over the head of being in a breach ofpromise, and all the expenses of solicitors and lawyers. Then, afterthat, trying to get the money out of us, and, mind you, we will fightyou to the last ditch. Won't we, John?

JOHN. Aye. 

DANIEL. There now. What do you say, Mr. Mackenzie?

MACKENZIE. I tell you what it is, Mr. Murray. I'll make you an offerfor----

ANDY (_hastily_). I'll take your offer, Daniel. 

DANIEL. One second. I drew up a wee agreement for you to sign, andI'll fetch the bellows. (_He goes into the workshop. _)

ANDY. I don't like signing my name to agreements or things like thatunless I'm quite certain they're all right, Mr. Mackenzie. 

MACKENZIE (_with a sly look at_ MARY). Well, if you have anycompunction about signing, I'll do it myself. 

MARY. I think Uncle Dan's a fool to throw away the thing that way. Ido indeed. (DANIEL _comes out with the parcel and the pen, ink andpaper. _)

DANIEL. Just sign your name to that, Andy. It's a sort of agreement tosettle the case--you can read it for yourself. (_He hands a sheet ofpaper to_ ANDY _with the pen. _) It's to show that the whole thing isfixed up to the satisfaction of everybody. (ANDY _looks at it and thensigns. _) Ah. Good! Now, Alick, and you, Mr. Mackenzie, just witness itand the date. (_They both sign. _) And now, Andy, there's your bellows. (ANDY _looks at it, and then takes it under his arm. _) And may youhave the best of luck with it. (ANDY _looks wonderingly at the parcelin his arms and moves slowly towards the door. _)

MACKENZIE. Noo, my reward, Miss Murray--Mary rather. (_He goes forwardand she stretches out her hand for him to shake, when he notices thering, and stops short. _)

JOHN. I hope you're satisfied, Andy. 

ANDY. I'm just wondering, Mr. Mackenzie, do you think----

MACKENZIE. I think nothing for a year. I'll--I'll--I'm for Scotland inthe morning. (_He goes out morosely through the door. _)

DANIEL. There, Andy. There's company home for you, and good luck toyou. It's a sad heart I'll have this night. 

ANDY. I'm wondering what Sarah would say--(_He goes to the door. _)Ach! She couldn't do better herself. No courting. 

DANIEL. No. No courting. 

ANDY. And no love and no letters. 

DANIEL. No. No love and no letters. 

ANDY. And no ring nor nothing, and a thousand pound bellows. 

DANIEL. Yes, Andy. And a thousand pound bellows. (_He wanders outabstractedly. _ DANIEL _follows him to the door and shouts afterhim_)--Goodbye, Andy. And may you have the best of luck with it. 

ANDY (_without_). Thank ye, Daniel. Goodbye. (DANIEL _closes the doorafter him and looks sadly but triumphantly across at_ JOHN. ALICK_and_ MARY _go to the window together and look out after_ ANDY. )

DANIEL. Well, John?

JOHN (_with a sigh of intense relief and gratitude_). Dan, I've saidit before, and I'll say it again, you've a great head on you, Daniel. 

(CURTAIN. )