Seven Short Plays Part 25

_Nestor:_ How do you make that out?

_Caoney:_ You said the mill chimneys were full of them....

_Nestor:_ What has that to do with it?

_c.o.o.ney:_ I left my rake after me broken in the loft ... my hat went away in the millrace ... I tore my coat on the stones ... there has mortar got into my eye....

_Nestor:_ The Lord bless and save us!

_c.o.o.ney:_ But there is no man can say I did not bring back the birds, sound and living and in good health. Look now, the open mouths of them! (_All gather round_.) Three of them safe and living.... I lost one climbing the wall. ... Where now is the man is going to buy them?

_Sibby:_ (_Pointing at Nestor._) It is he that can tell you that.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Make no delay bringing me to him. I'm in dread they might die on me first.

_Nestor:_ You should know well that no one is buying them.

_Sibby:_ No one! Sure it was you yourself told us that there was!

_Nestor:_ If I did itself there is no such a man.

_Sibby:_ It's not above two minutes he was telling of the rings and the pins he wore.

_Nestor:_ He never was in it at all.

_c.o.o.ney:_ What plan is he making up now to defraud me and to rob me?

_Sibby:_ Question him yourself, and you will see what will he say.

_c.o.o.ney:_ How can I ask questions of a man that is telling lies?

_Nestor:_ I am telling no lies. I am well able to answer you and to tell you the truth.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Tell me where is the man that will give me cash for these birds, the same as he gave it to the woman of this house?

_Sibby:_ That's it, that is it. Let him tell it out now.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Will you have me ask it as often as the hairs of my head? If I get vexed I will make you answer me.

_Nestor:_ It seems to me to have set fire to a rick, but I am well able to quench it after. There is no man in South Africa, or that came from South Africa, or that ever owned a mine there at all. Where is the man bought the bird, are you asking? There he is standing among us on this floor. (_Points to c.o.o.ney._) That is himself, the very man!

_c.o.o.ney:_ (_Advancing a step._) What is that you are saying?

_Nestor:_ I say that no one came in here but yourself.

_c.o.o.ney:_ Did he say or not say there was a rich man came in?

_Sibby:_ He did, surely.

_Nestor:_ To make up a plan....

_c.o.o.ney:_ I know well you have made up a plan.

_Nestor:_ To give it unknownst....

_c.o.o.ney:_ It is to keep it unknownst you are wanting!

_Nestor:_ The way she would not suspect....

_c.o.o.ney:_ It is I myself suspect and have cause to suspect! Give me back my own ten pounds and I'll be satisfied.

_Nestor:_ What way can I give it back?

_c.o.o.ney:_ The same way as you took it, in the palm of your hand.

_Nestor:_ Sure it is paid away and spent....

_c.o.o.ney:_ If it is you'll repay it! I know as well as if I was inside you you are striving to make me your prey! But I'll sober you! It is into the Court I will drag you, and as far as the gaol!

_Nestor:_ I tell you I gave it to the widow woman....

(_Mrs. Broderick comes in._)

_c.o.o.ney:_ Let her say now did you.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ What is it at all? What is happening? Joseph Nestor threatened by a tinker or a tramp!

_Nestor:_ I would think better of his behaviour if he was a tinker or a tramp.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ He has drink taken so. Isn't drink the terrible tempter, a man to see flames and punishment upon the one side and drink upon the other, and to turn his face towards the drink!

_c.o.o.ney:_ Will you stop your chat, Mary Broderick, till I will drag the truth out of this traitor?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Who is that calling me by my name? Och! Is it Michael c.o.o.ney is in it? Michael c.o.o.ney, my brother! O Michael, what will they think of you coming into the town and much like a rag on a stick would be scaring in the wheatfield through the day?

_c.o.o.ney:_ (_Pointing at Nestor._) It was going up in the mill I destroyed myself, following the directions of that ruffian!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ And what call has a man that has drink taken to go climbing up a loft in a mill? A crooked mind you had always, and that's a sort of person drink doesn't suit.

_c.o.o.ney:_ I tell you I didn't take a gla.s.s over a counter this ten year.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ You would do well to go learn behaviour from Mr.

Nestor.

_c.o.o.ney:_ The man that has me plundered and robbed! Tell me this now, if you can tell it. Did you find any pound notes in "Old Moore's Almanac"?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I did not to be sure, or in any other place.