Chapter II: Part 2

_Fardy:_ I don't know. I heard the Sergeant saying one time it was to obstruct the police in the discharge of their duty----

_Hyacinth:_ That won't do. It's a patriot I would be then, worse than before, with my picture in the weeklies. It's a red crime I must commit that will make all respectable people quit minding me. What can I do? Search your mind now.

_Fardy:_ It's what I heard the old people saying there could be no worse crime than to steal a sheep----

_Hyacinth:_ I'll steal a sheep--or a cow--or a horse--if that will leave me the way I was before.

_Fardy:_ It's maybe in gaol it will leave you.

_Hyacinth:_ I don't care--I'll confess--I'll tell why I did it--I give you my word I would as soon be picking oakum or breaking stones as to be perched in the daylight the same as that bird, and all the town chirruping to me or bidding me chirrup----

_Fardy:_ There is reason in that, now.

_Hyacinth:_ Help me, will you?

_Fardy:_ Well, if it is to steal a sheep you want, you haven't far to go.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Looking round wildly._) Where is it? I see no sheep.

_Fardy:_ Look around you.

_Hyacinth:_ I see no living thing but that thrush----

_Fardy:_ Did I say it was living? What is that hanging on Quirke's rack?

_Hyacinth:_ It's (_fingers it_) a sheep, sure enough----

_Fardy:_ Well, what ails you that you can't bring it away?

_Hyacinth:_ It's a dead one----

_Fardy:_ What matter if it is?

_Hyacinth:_ If it was living I could drive it before me----

_Fardy:_ You could. Is it to your own lodging you would drive it? Sure everyone would take it to be a pet you brought from Carrow.

_Hyacinth:_ I suppose they might.

_Fardy:_ Miss Joyce sending in for news of it and it bleating behind the bed.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Distracted_). Stop! stop!

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_From upper window._) Fardy! Are you there, Fardy Farrell?

_Fardy:_ I am, ma'am.

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_From window._) Look and tell me is that the telegraph I hear ticking?

_Fardy:_ (_Looking in at door._) It is, ma'am.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Then botheration to it, and I not dressed or undressed. Wouldn't you say, now, it's to annoy me it is calling me down. I'm coming! I'm coming! (_Disappears._)

_Fardy:_ Hurry on, now! hurry! She'll be coming out on you. If you are going to do it, do it, and if you are not, let it alone.

_Hyacinth:_ I'll do it! I'll do it!

_Fardy:_ (_Lifting the sheep on his back._) I'll give you a hand with it.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Goes a step or two and turns round._) You told me no place where I could hide it.

_Fardy:_ You needn't go far. There is the church beyond at the side of the Square. Go round to the ditch behind the wall--there's nettles in it.

_Hyacinth:_ That'll do.

_Fardy:_ She's coming out--run! run!

Hyacinth: (_Runs a step or two._) It's slipping!

_Fardy:_ Hoist it up! I'll give it a hoist! (_Halvey runs out._)

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Calling out._) What are you doing Fardy Farrell? Is it idling you are?

_Fardy:_ Waiting I am, ma'am, for the message----

_Mrs. Delane:_ Never mind the message yet. Who said it was ready? (_Going to door._) Go ask for the loan of--no, but ask news of--Here, now go bring that bag of Mr. Halvey's to the lodging Miss Joyce has taken----

_Fardy:_ I will, ma'am. (_Takes bag and goes out._)

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Coming out with a telegram in her hand._) Nobody here? (_Looks round and calls cautiously._) Mr. Quirke! Mr. Quirke! James Quirke!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Looking out of his upper window with soap-suddy face_). What is it, Mrs. Delane?

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Beckoning._) Come down here till I tell you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I cannot do that. I'm not fully shaved.

_Mrs. Delane:_ You'd come if you knew the news I have.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Tell it to me now. I'm not so supple as I was.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Whisper now, have you an enemy in any place?

_Mr. Quirke:_ It's likely I may have. A man in business----

_Mrs. Delane:_ I was thinking you had one.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Why would you think that at this time more than any other time?

_Mrs. Delane:_ If you could know what is in this envelope you would know that, James Quirke.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is that so? And what, now, is there in it?

_Mrs. Delane:_ Who do you think now is it addressed to?

_Mr. Quirke:_ How would I know that, and I not seeing it?

_Mrs. Delane:_ That is true. Well, it is a message from Dublin Castle to the Sergeant of Police!

_Mr. Quirke:_ To Sergeant Carden, is it?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is. And it concerns yourself.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Myself, is it? What accusation can they be bringing against me? I'm a peaceable man.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Wait till you hear.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Maybe they think I was in that moonlighting case----

_Mrs. Delane:_ That is not it----

_Mr. Quirke:_ I was not in it--I was but in the neighbouring field--cutting up a dead cow, that those never had a hand in----

_Mrs. Delane:_ You're out of it----

_Mr. Quirke:_ They had their faces blackened. There is no man can say I recognized them.

_Mrs. Delane:_ That's not what they're saying----

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'll swear I did not hear their voices or know them if I did hear them.

_Mrs. Delane:_ I tell you it has nothing to do with that. It might be better for you if it had.

_Mr. Quirke:_ What is it, so?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is an order to the Sergeant bidding him immediately to seize all suspicious meat in your house. There is an officer coming down. There are complaints from the Shannon Fort Barracks.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'll engage it was that pork.

_Mrs. Delane:_ What ailed it for them to find fault?

_Mr. Quirke:_ People are so hard to please nowadays, and I recommended them to salt it.

_Mrs. Delane:_ They had a right to have minded your advice.

_Mr. Quirke:_ There was nothing on that pig at all but that it went mad on poor O'Grady that owned it.

_Mrs. Delane:_ So I heard, and went killing all before it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Sure it's only in the brain madness can be. I heard the doctor saying that.

_Mrs. Delane:_ He should know.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I give you my word I cut the head off it. I went to the loss of it, throwing it to the eels in the river. If they had salted the meat, as I advised them, what harm would it have done to any person on earth?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I hope no harm will come on poor Mrs. Quirke and the family.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Maybe it wasn't that but some other thing----

_Mrs. Delane:_ Here is Fardy. I must send the message to the Sergeant. Well, Mr. Quirke, I'm glad I had the time to give you a warning.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'm obliged to you, indeed. You were always very neighbourly, Mrs. Delane. Don't be too quick now sending the message. There is just one article I would like to put away out of the house before the Sergeant will come. (_Enter Fardy._)

_Mrs. Delane:_ Here now, Fardy--that's not the way you're going to the barracks. Anyone would think you were scaring birds yet. Put on your uniform. (_Fardy goes into office._) You have this message to bring to the Sergeant of Police. Get your cap now, it's under the counter. (_Fardy reappears, and she gives him telegram._)

_Fardy:_ I'll bring it to the station. It's there he was going.

_Mrs. Delane:_ You will not, but to the barracks. It can wait for him there.

(_Fardy goes off. Mr. Quirke has appeared at door._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ It was indeed a very neighbourly act, Mrs. Delane, and I'm obliged to you. There is just _one_ article to put out of the way. The Sergeant may look about him then and welcome. It's well I cleared the premises on yesterday. A consignment to Birmingham I sent. The Lord be praised isn't England a terrible country with all it consumes?

_Mrs. Delane:_ Indeed you always treat the neighbours very decent, Mr. Quirke, not asking them to buy from you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Just one article. (_Turns to rack._) That sheep I brought in last night. It was for a charity indeed I bought it from the widow woman at Kiltartan Cross. Where would the poor make a profit out of their dead meat without me? Where now is it? Well, now, I could have swore that that sheep was hanging there on the rack when I went in----

_Mrs. Delane:_ You must have put it in some other place.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Going in and searching and coming out._) I did not; there is no other place for me to put it. Is it gone blind I am, or is it not in it, it is?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It's not there now anyway.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Didn't you take notice of it there yourself this morning?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I have it in my mind that I did; but it's not there now.

_Mr. Quirke:_ There was no one here could bring it away?

_Mrs. Delane:_ Is it me myself you suspect of taking it, James Quirke?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Where is it at all? It is certain it was not of itself it walked away. It was dead, and very dead, the time I bought it.

_Mrs. Delane:_ I have a pleasant neighbour indeed that accuses me that I took his sheep. I wonder, indeed, you to say a thing like that! I to steal your sheep or your rack or anything that belongs to you or to your trade! Thank you, James Quirke. I am much obliged to you indeed.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Ah, be quiet, woman; be quiet----

_Mrs. Delane:_ And let me tell you, James Quirke, that I would sooner starve and see everyone belonging to me starve than to eat the size of a thimble of any joint that ever was on your rack or that ever will be on it, whatever the soldiers may eat that have no other thing to get, or the English that devour all sorts, or the poor ravenous people that's down by the sea! (_She turns to go into shop._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Stopping her._) Don't be talking foolishness, woman. Who said you took my meat? Give heed to me now. There must some other message have come. The Sergeant must have got some other message.

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Sulkily._) If there is any way for a message to come that is quicker than to come by the wires, tell me what it is and I'll be obliged to you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ The Sergeant was up here making an excuse he was sticking up that notice. What was he doing here, I ask you?

Mrs. Delane: How would I know what brought him?

_Mr. Quirke:_ It is what he did; he made as if to go away--he turned back again and I shaving--he brought away the sheep--he will have it for evidence against me----

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Interested._) That might be so.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I would sooner it to have been any other beast nearly ever I had upon the rack.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Is that so?

Mr. Quirke: I bade the Widow Early to kill it a fortnight ago--but she would not, she was that covetous!

_Mrs. Delane:_ What was on it?

_Mr. Quirke:_ How would I know what was on it? Whatever was on it, it was the will of God put it upon it--wasted it was, and shivering and refusing its share.

_Mrs. Delane:_ The poor thing.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Gone all to nothing--wore away like a flock of thread. It did not weigh as much as a lamb of two months.

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is likely the Inspector will bring it to Dublin?

_Mr. Quirke:_ The ribs of it streaky with the dint of patent medicines----

_Mrs. Delane:_ I wonder is it to the Petty Sessions you'll be brought or is it to the Assizes?

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'll speak up to them. I'll make my defence. What can the Army expect at fippence a pound?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is likely there will be no bail allowed?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Would they be wanting me to give them good quality meat out of my own pocket? Is it to encourage them to fight the poor Indians and Africans they would have me? It's the Anti-Enlisting Societies should pay the fine for me.

_Mrs. Delane:_ It's not a fine will be put on you, I'm afraid. It's five years in gaol you will be apt to be getting. Well, I'll try and be a good neighbour to poor Mrs. Quirke.

(_Mr. Quirke, who has been stamping up and down, sits down and
weeps. Halvey comes in and stands on one side._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ Hadn't I heart-scalding enough before, striving to rear five weak children?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I suppose they will be sent to the Industrial Schools?

_Mr. Quirke:_ My poor wife----

_Mrs. Delane:_ I'm afraid the workhouse----

_Mr. Quirke:_ And she out in an ass-car at this minute helping me to follow my trade.

_Mrs. Delane:_ I hope they will not arrest her along with you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'll give myself up to justice. I'll plead guilty! I'll be recommended to mercy!

_Mrs. Delane:_ It might be best for you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Who would think so great a misfortune could come upon a family through the bringing away of one sheep!

_Hyacinth:_ (_Coming forward._) Let you make yourself easy.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Easy! It's easy to say let you make yourself easy.

_Hyacinth:_ I can tell you where it is.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Where what is?

_Hyacinth:_ The sheep you are fretting after.

_Mr. Quirke:_ What do you know about it?

_Hyacinth:_ I know everything about it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose the Sergeant told you?

_Hyacinth:_ He told me nothing.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose the whole town knows it, so?

_Hyacinth:_ No one knows it, as yet.

_Mr. Quirke:_ And the Sergeant didn't see it?

_Hyacinth:_ No one saw it or brought it away but myself.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Where did you put it at all?

_Hyacinth:_ In the ditch behind the church wall. In among the nettles it is. Look at the way they have me stung. (_Holds out hands._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ In the ditch! The best hiding place in the town.

_Hyacinth:_ I never thought it would bring such great trouble upon you. You can't say anyway I did not tell you.

_Mr. Quirke:_ You yourself that brought it away and that hid it! I suppose it was coming in the train you got information about the message to the police.

_Hyacinth:_ What now do you say to me?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Say! I say I am as glad to hear what you said as if it was the Lord telling me I'd be in heaven this minute.

_Hyacinth:_ What are you going to do to me?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Do, is it? (_Grasps his hand._) Any earthly thing you would wish me to do, I will do it.

_Hyacinth:_ I suppose you will tell----

_Mr. Quirke:_ Tell! It's I that will tell when all is quiet. It is I will give you the good name through the town!

_Hyacinth:_ I don't well understand.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Embracing him._) The man that preserved me!

_Hyacinth:_ That preserved you?

_Mr. Quirke:_ That kept me from ruin!

_Hyacinth:_ From ruin?

_Mr. Quirke:_ That saved me from disgrace!

_Hyacinth:_ (_To Mrs. Delane._) What is he saying at all?

_Mr. Quirke:_ From the Inspector!

_Hyacinth:_ What is he talking about?

_Mr. Quirke:_ From the magistrates!

_Hyacinth:_ He is making some mistake.

_Mr. Quirke:_ From the Winter Assizes!

_Hyacinth:_ Is he out of his wits?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Five years in gaol!

_Hyacinth:_ Hasn't he the queer talk?

_Mr. Quirke:_ The loss of the contract!

_Hyacinth:_ Are my own wits gone astray?

_Mr. Quirke:_ What way can I repay you?

_Hyacinth:_ (_Shouting._) I tell you I took the sheep----

_Mr. Quirke:_ You did, God reward you!

_Hyacinth:_ I stole away with it----

_Mr. Quirke:_ The blessing of the poor on you!

_Hyacinth:_ I put it out of sight----

_Mr. Quirke:_ The blessing of my five children----

_Hyacinth:_ I may as well say nothing----

_Mrs. Delane:_ Let you be quiet now, Quirke. Here's the Sergeant coming to search the shop----

(_Sergeant comes in: Quirke leaves go of Halvey, who arranges
his hat, etc._)

_Sergeant:_ The Department to blazes!

_Mrs. Delane:_ What is it putting you out?

_Sergeant:_ To go to the train to meet the lecturer, and there to get a message through the guard that he was unavoidably detained in the South, holding an inquest on the remains of a drake.

_Mrs. Delane:_ The lecturer, is it?

_Sergeant:_ To be sure. What else would I be talking of? The lecturer has failed me, and where am I to go looking for a person that I would think fitting to take his place?

_Mrs. Delane:_ And that's all? And you didn't get any message but the one?

_Sergeant:_ Is that all? I am surprised at you, Mrs. Delane. Isn't it enough to upset a man, within three quarters of an hour of the time of the meeting? Where, I would ask you, am I to find a man that has education enough and wit enough and character enough to put up speaking on the platform on the minute?

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Jumps up._) It is I myself will tell you that.

_Sergeant:_ You!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Slapping Halvey on the back._) Look at here, Sergeant. There is not one word was said in all those papers about this young man before you but it is true. And there could be no good thing said of him that would be too good for him.

_Sergeant:_ It might not be a bad idea.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Whatever the paper said about him, Sergeant, I can say more again. It has come to my knowledge--by chance--that since he came to this town that young man has saved a whole family from destruction.

_Sergeant:_ That is much to his credit--helping the rural classes----

_Mr. Quirke:_ A family and a long family, big and little, like sods of turf--and they depending on a--on one that might be on his way to dark trouble at this minute if it was not for his assistance. Believe me, he is the most sensible man, and the wittiest, and the kindest, and the best helper of the poor that ever stood before you in this square. Is not that so, Mrs. Delane?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is true indeed. Where he gets his wisdom and his wit and his information from I don't know, unless it might be that he is gifted from above.

_Sergeant:_ Well, Mrs. Delane, I think we have settled that question. Mr. Halvey, you will be the speaker at the meeting. The lecturer sent these notes--you can lengthen them into a speech. You can call to the people of Cloon to stand out, to begin the building of their character. I saw a lecturer do it one time at Dundrum. "Come up here," he said, "Dare to be a Daniel," he said----

_Hyacinth:_ I can't--I won't----

_Sergeant:_ (_Looking at papers and thrusting them into his hand._) You will find it quite easy. I will conduct you to the platform--these papers before you and a glass of water--That's settled. (_Turns to go._) Follow me on to the Courthouse in half an hour--I must go to the barracks first--I heard there was a telegram--(_Calls back as he goes._) Don't be late, Mrs. Delane. Mind, Quirke, you promised to come.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Well, it's time for me to make an end of settling myself--and indeed, Mr. Quirke, you'd best do the same.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Rubbing his cheek._) I suppose so. I had best keep on good terms with him for the present. (_Turns._) Well, now, I had a great escape this day.

(_Both go in as Fardy reappears whistling._)

_Hyacinth:_ (_Sitting down._) I don't know in the world what has come upon the world that the half of the people of it should be cracked!

_Fardy:_ Weren't you found out yet?

_Hyacinth:_ Found out, is it? I don't know what you mean by being found out.

_Fardy:_ Didn't he miss the sheep?

_Hyacinth:_ He did, and I told him it was I took it--and what happened I declare to goodness I don't know--Will you look at these? (_Holds out notes._)

_Fardy:_ Papers! Are they more testimonials?

_Hyacinth:_ They are what is worse. (_Gives a hoarse laugh._) Will you come and see me on the platform--these in my hand--and I speaking--giving out advice. (_Fardy whistles._) Why didn't you tell me, the time you advised me to steal a sheep, that in this town it would qualify a man to go preaching, and the priest in the chair looking on.

_Fardy:_ The time I took a few apples that had fallen off a stall, they did not ask me to hold a meeting. They welted me well.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Looking round._) I would take apples if I could see them. I wish I had broke my neck before I left Carrow and I'd be better off! I wish I had got six months the time I was caught setting snares--I wish I had robbed a church.

_Fardy:_ Would a Protestant church do?

_Hyacinth:_ I suppose it wouldn't be so great a sin.

_Fardy:_ It's likely the Sergeant would think worse of it--Anyway, if you want to rob one, it's the Protestant church is the handiest.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Getting up._) Show me what way to do it?

_Fardy:_ (_Pointing._) I was going around it a few minutes ago, to see might there be e'er a dog scenting the sheep, and I noticed the window being out.

_Hyacinth:_ Out, out and out?

_Fardy:_ It was, where they are putting coloured glass in it for the distiller----

_Hyacinth:_ What good does that do me?

_Fardy:_ Every good. You could go in by that window if you had some person to give you a hoist. Whatever riches there is to get in it then, you'll get them.

_Hyacinth:_ I don't want riches. I'll give you all I will find if you will come and hoist me.

_Fardy:_ Here is Miss Joyce coming to bring you to your lodging. Sure I brought your bag to it, the time you were away with the sheep----

_Hyacinth:_ Run! Run!

(_They go off. Enter Miss Joyce._)

_Miss Joyce:_ Are you here, Mrs. Delane? Where, can you tell me, is Mr. Halvey?

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Coming out dressed._) It's likely he is gone on to the Courthouse. Did you hear he is to be in the chair and to make an address to the meeting?

_Miss Joyce:_ He is getting on fast. His Reverence says he will be a good help in the parish. Who would think, now, there would be such a godly young man in a little place like Carrow!

(_Enter Sergeant in a hurry, with telegram._)

_Sergeant:_ What time did this telegram arrive, Mrs. Delane?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I couldn't be rightly sure, Sergeant. But sure it's marked on it, unless the clock I have is gone wrong.

_Sergeant:_ It is marked on it. And I have the time I got it marked on my own watch.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Well, now, I wonder none of the police would have followed you with it from the barracks--and they with so little to do----

_Sergeant:_ (_Looking in at Quirke's shop._) Well, I am sorry to do what I have to do, but duty is duty.

(_He ransacks shop. Mrs. Delane looks on. Mr. Quirke puts his
head out of window._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ What is that going on inside? (_No answer._) Is there any one inside, I ask? (_No answer._) It must be that dog of Tannian's--wait till I get at him.

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is Sergeant Carden, Mr. Quirke. He would seem to be looking for something----

(_Mr. Quirke appears in shop. Sergeant comes out, makes another
dive, taking up sacks, etc._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'm greatly afraid I am just out of meat, Sergeant--and I'm sorry now to disoblige you, and you not being in the habit of dealing with me----

_Sergeant:_ I should think not, indeed.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Looking for a tender little bit of lamb, I suppose you are, for Mrs. Carden and the youngsters?

_Sergeant:_ I am not.

_Mr. Quirke:_ If I had it now, I'd be proud to offer it to you, and make no charge. I'll be killing a good kid to-morrow. Mrs. Carden might fancy a bit of it----

_Sergeant:_ I have had orders to search your establishment for unwholesome meat, and I am come here to do it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Sitting down with a smile._) Is that so? Well, isn't it a wonder the schemers does be in the world.

_Sergeant:_ It is not the first time there have been complaints.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose not. Well, it is on their own head it will fall at the last!

_Sergeant:_ I have found nothing so far. _Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose not, indeed. What is there you could find, and it not in it?

_Sergeant:_ Have you no meat at all upon the premises?

_Mr. Quirke:_ I have, indeed, a nice barrel of bacon.

_Sergeant:_ What way did it die?

_Mr. Quirke:_ It would be hard for me to say that. American it is. How would I know what way they do be killing the pigs out there? Machinery, I suppose, they have--steam hammers----

_Sergeant:_ Is there nothing else here at all?

_Mr. Quirke:_ I give you my word, there is no meat living or dead in this place, but yourself and myself and that bird above in the cage.

_Sergeant:_ Well, I must tell the Inspector I could find nothing. But mind yourself for the future.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Thank you, Sergeant. I will do that. (_Enter Fardy. He stops short._)

_Sergeant:_ It was you delayed that message to me, I suppose? You'd best mend your ways or I'll have something to say to you. (_Seizes and shakes him._)

_Fardy:_ That's the way everyone does be faulting me. (_Whimpers._)

(_The Sergeant gives him another shake. A half-crown falls out
of his pocket._)

_Miss Joyce:_ (_Picking it up._) A half-a-crown! Where, now, did you get that much, Fardy?

_Fardy:_ Where did I get it, is it!

_Miss Joyce:_ I'll engage it was in no honest way you got it.

_Fardy:_ I picked it up in the street----

_Miss Joyce:_ If you did, why didn't you bring it to the Sergeant or to his Reverence?

_Mrs. Delane:_ And some poor person, may be, being at the loss of it.

_Miss Joyce:_ I'd best bring it to his Reverence. Come with me, Fardy, till he will question you about it.

_Fardy:_ It was not altogether in the street I found it----

_Miss Joyce:_ There, now! I knew you got it in no good way! Tell me, now.

_Fardy:_ It was playing pitch and toss I won it----

_Miss Joyce:_ And who would play for half-crowns with the like of you, Fardy Farrell? Who was it, now?

_Fardy:_ It was--a stranger----

_Miss Joyce:_ Do you hear that? A stranger! Did you see e'er a stranger in this town, Mrs. Delane, or Sergeant Carden, or Mr. Quirke?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Not a one.

_Sergeant:_ There was no stranger here.

_Mrs. Delane:_ There could not be one here without me knowing it.

_Fardy:_ I tell you there was.

_Miss Joyce:_ Come on, then, and tell who was he to his Reverence.

_Sergeant:_ (_Taking other arm._) Or to the bench.

_Fardy:_ I did get it, I tell you, from a stranger.

_Sergeant:_ Where is he, so?

_Fardy:_ He's in some place--not far away.

_Sergeant:_ Bring me to him.

_Fardy:_ He'll be coming here.

_Sergeant:_ Tell me the truth and it will be better for you.

_Fardy:_ (_Weeping._) Let me go and I will.

_Sergeant:_ (_Letting go._) Now--who did you get it from?

_Fardy:_ From that young chap came to-day, Mr. Halvey.

_All:_ Mr. Halvey!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Indignantly._) What are you saying, you young ruffian you? Hyacinth Halvey to be playing pitch and toss with the like of you!

_Fardy:_ I didn't say that.

_Miss Joyce:_ You did say it. You said it now.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Hyacinth Halvey! The best man that ever came into this town!

_Miss Joyce:_ Well, what lies he has!

_Mr. Quirke:_ It's my belief the half-crown is a bad one. May be it's to pass it off it was given to him. There were tinkers in the town at the time of the fair. Give it here to me. (_Bites it._) No, indeed, it's sound enough. Here, Sergeant, it's best for you take it.

(_Gives it to Sergeant, who examines it._)

_Sergeant:_ Can it be? Can it be what I think it to be?

_Mr. Quirke:_ What is it? What do you take it to be?

_Sergeant:_ It is, it is. I know it. I know this half-crown----

_Mr. Quirke:_ That is a queer thing, now.

_Sergeant:_ I know it well. I have been handling it in the church for the last twelvemonth----

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is that so?

_Sergeant:_ It is the nest-egg half-crown we hand round in the collection plate every Sunday morning. I know it by the dint on the Queen's temples and the crooked scratch under her nose.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Examining it._) So there is, too.

_Sergeant:_ This is a bad business. It has been stolen from the church.

_All:_ O! O! O!

_Sergeant:_ (_Seizing Fardy._) You have robbed the church!

_Fardy:_ (_Terrified._) I tell you I never did!

_Sergeant:_ I have the proof of it.

_Fardy:_ Say what you like! I never put a foot in it!

_Sergeant:_ How did you get this, so?

_Miss Joyce:_ I suppose from the stranger?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I suppose it was Hyacinth Halvey gave it to you, now?

_Fardy:_ It was so.

_Sergeant:_ I suppose it was he robbed the church?

_Fardy:_ (_Sobs._) You will not believe me if I say it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ O! the young vagabond! Let me get at him!

_Mrs. Delane:_ Here he is himself now!

(_Hyacinth comes in. Fardy releases himself and creeps behind him._)

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is time you to come, Mr. Halvey, and shut the mouth of this young schemer.

_Miss Joyce:_ I would like you to hear what he says of you, Mr. Halvey. Pitch and toss, he says.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Robbery, he says.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Robbery of a church.

_Sergeant:_ He has had a bad name long enough. Let him go to a reformatory now.

_Fardy:_ (_Clinging to Hyacinth._) Save me, save me! I'm a poor boy trying to knock out a way of living; I'll be destroyed if I go to a reformatory. (_Kneels and clings to Hyacinth's knees._)

_Hyacinth:_ I'll save you easy enough.

_Fardy:_ Don't let me be gaoled!

_Hyacinth:_ I am going to tell them.

_Fardy:_ I'm a poor orphan----

_Hyacinth:_ Will you let me speak?

_Fardy:_ I'll get no more chance in the world----

_Hyacinth:_ Sure I'm trying to free you----

_Fardy:_ It will be tasked to me always.

_Hyacinth:_ Be quiet, can't you.

_Fardy:_ Don't you desert me!

_Hyacinth:_ Will you be silent?

_Fardy:_ Take it on yourself.

_Hyacinth:_ I will if you'll let me.

_Fardy:_ Tell them you did it.

_Hyacinth:_ I am going to do that.

_Fardy:_ Tell them it was you got in at the window.

_Hyacinth:_ I will! I will!

_Fardy:_ Say it was you robbed the box.

_Hyacinth:_ I'll say it! I'll say it!

_Fardy:_ It being open!

_Hyacinth:_ Let me tell, let me tell.

_Fardy:_ Of all that was in it.

_Hyacinth:_ I'll tell them that.

_Fardy:_ And gave it to me.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Putting hand on his mouth and dragging him up._) Will you stop and let me speak?

_Sergeant:_ We can't be wasting time. Give him here to me.

_Hyacinth:_ I can't do that. He must be let alone.

_Sergeant:_ (_Seizing him._) He'll be let alone in the lock-up.

_Hyacinth:_ He must not be brought there.

_Sergeant:_ I'll let no man get him off.

_Hyacinth:_ I will get him off.

_Sergeant:_ You will not!

_Hyacinth:_ I will.

_Sergeant:_ Do you think to buy him off?

_Hyacinth:_ I will buy him off with my own confession.

_Sergeant:_ And what will that be?

_Hyacinth:_ It was I robbed the church.

_Sergeant:_ That is likely indeed!

_Hyacinth:_ Let him go, and take me. I tell you I did it.

_Sergeant:_ It would take witnesses to prove that.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Pointing to Fardy._) He will be witness.

_Fardy:_ O! Mr. Halvey, I would not wish to do that. Get me off and I will say nothing.

_Hyacinth:_ Sure you must. You will be put on oath in the court.

_Fardy:_ I will not! I will not! All the world knows I don't understand the nature of an oath!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Coming forward._) Is it blind ye all are?

_Mrs. Delane:_ What are you talking about?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is it fools ye all are?

_Miss Joyce:_ Speak for yourself.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is it idiots ye all are?

_Sergeant:_ Mind who you're talking to.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Seizing Hyacinth's hands._) Can't you see? Can't you hear? Where are your wits? Was ever such a thing seen in this town?

_Mrs. Delane:_ Say out what you have to say.

_Mr. Quirke:_ A walking saint he is!

_Mrs. Delane:_ Maybe so.

_Mr. Quirke:_ The preserver of the poor! Talk of the holy martyrs! They are nothing at all to what he is! Will you look at him! To save that poor boy he is going! To take the blame on himself he is going! To say he himself did the robbery he is going! Before the magistrate he is going! To gaol he is going! Taking the blame on his own head! Putting the sin on his own shoulders! Letting on to have done a robbery! Telling a lie--that it may be forgiven him--to his own injury! Doing all that I tell you to save the character of a miserable slack lad, that rose in poverty.

(_Murmur of admiration from all._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ Now, what do you say?

_Sergeant:_ (_Pressing his hand._) Mr. Halvey, you have given us all a lesson. To please you, I will make no information against the boy. (_Shakes him and helps him up._) I will put back the half-crown in the poor-box next Sunday. (_To Fardy._) What have you to say to your benefactor?

_Fardy:_ I'm obliged to you, Mr. Halvey. You behaved very decent to me, very decent indeed. I'll never let a word be said against you if I live to be a hundred years.

_Sergeant:_ (_Wiping eyes with a blue handkerchief._) I will tell it at the meeting. It will be a great encouragement to them to build up their character. I'll tell it to the priest and he taking the chair----

_Hyacinth:_ O stop, will you----

_Mr. Quirke:_ The chair. It's in the chair he himself should be. It's in a chair we will put him now. It's to chair him through the streets we will. Sure he'll be an example and a blessing to the whole of the town. (_Seizes Halvey and seats him in chair._) Now, Sergeant, give a hand. Here, Fardy.

(_They all lift the chair with Halvey in it, wildly protesting._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ Come along now to the Courthouse. Three cheers for Hyacinth Halvey! Hip! hip! hoora!

(_Cheers heard in the distance as the curtain drops._)

THE RISING OF THE MOON

PERSONS

_Sergeant._
_Policeman X._
_Policeman B._
_A Ragged Man._

THE RISING OF THE MOON

_Scene: Side of a quay in a seaport town. Some posts and
chains. A large barrel. Enter three policemen. Moonlight._

(_Sergeant, who is older than the others, crosses the stage to
right and looks down steps. The others put down a pastepot and
unroll a bundle of placards._)

_Policeman B:_ I think this would be a good place to put up a notice. (_He points to barrel._)

_Policeman X:_ Better ask him. (_Calls to Sergt._) Will this be a good place for a placard?

(_No answer._)

_Policeman B:_ Will we put up a notice here on the barrel? (_No answer._)

_Sergeant:_ There's a flight of steps here that leads to the water. This is a place that should be minded well. If he got down here, his friends might have a boat to meet him; they might send it in here from outside.

_Policeman B:_ Would the barrel be a good place to put a notice up?

_Sergeant:_ It might; you can put it there.

(_They paste the notice up._)

_Sergeant:_ (_Reading it._) Dark hair--dark eyes, smooth face, height five feet five--there's not much to take hold of in that--It's a pity I had no chance of seeing him before he broke out of gaol. They say he's a wonder, that it's he makes all the plans for the whole organization. There isn't another man in Ireland would have broken gaol the way he did. He must have some friends among the gaolers.

_Policeman B:_ A hundred pounds is little enough for the Government to offer for him. You may be sure any man in the force that takes him will get promotion.

_Sergeant:_ I'll mind this place myself. I wouldn't wonder at all if he came this way. He might come slipping along there (_points to side of quay_), and his friends might be waiting for him there (_points down steps_), and once he got away it's little chance we'd have of finding him; it's maybe under a load of kelp he'd be in a fishing boat, and not one to help a married man that wants it to the reward.

_Policeman X:_ And if we get him itself, nothing but abuse on our heads for it from the people, and maybe from our own relations.

_Sergeant:_ Well, we have to do our duty in the force. Haven't we the whole country depending on us to keep law and order? It's those that are down would be up and those that are up would be down, if it wasn't for us. Well, hurry on, you have plenty of other places to placard yet, and come back here then to me. You can take the lantern. Don't be too long now. It's very lonesome here with nothing but the moon.

_Policeman B:_ It's a pity we can't stop with you. The Government should have brought more police into the town, with _him_ in gaol, and at assize time too. Well, good luck to your watch.

(_They go out._)

_Sergeant:_ (_Walks up and down once or twice and looks at placard._) A hundred pounds and promotion sure. There must be a great deal of spending in a hundred pounds. It's a pity some honest man not to be the better of that.

(_A ragged man appears at left and tries to slip past. Sergeant
suddenly turns._)

_Sergeant:_ Where are you going?

_Man:_ I'm a poor ballad-singer, your honour. I thought to sell some of these (_holds out bundle of ballads_) to the sailors. (_He goes on._)

_Sergeant:_ Stop! Didn't I tell you to stop? You can't go on there.

_Man:_ Oh, very well. It's a hard thing to be poor. All the world's against the poor!

_Sergeant:_ Who are you?

_Man:_ You'd be as wise as myself if I told you, but I don't mind. I'm one Jimmy Walsh, a ballad-singer.

_Sergeant:_ Jimmy Walsh? I don't know that name.

_Man:_ Ah, sure, they know it well enough in Ennis. Were you ever in Ennis, sergeant?

_Sergeant:_ What brought you here?

_Man:_ Sure, it's to the assizes I came, thinking I might make a few shillings here or there. It's in the one train with the judges I came.

_Sergeant:_ Well, if you came so far, you may as well go farther, for you'll walk out of this.

_Man:_ I will, I will; I'll just go on where I was going. (_Goes towards steps._)

_Sergeant:_ Come back from those steps; no one has leave to pass down them to-night.

_Man:_ I'll just sit on the top of the steps till I see will some sailor buy a ballad off me that would give me my supper. They do be late going back to the ship. It's often I saw them in Cork carried down the quay in a hand-cart.

_Sergeant:_ Move on, I tell you. I won't have any one lingering about the quay to-night.

_Man:_ Well, I'll go. It's the poor have the hard life! Maybe yourself might like one, sergeant. Here's a good sheet now. (_Turns one over._) "Content and a pipe"--that's not much. "The Peeler and the goat"--you wouldn't like that. "Johnny Hart"--that's a lovely song.

_Sergeant:_ Move on.

_Man:_ Ah, wait till you hear it. (_Sings:_)

There was a rich farmer's daughter lived near the town of Ross;
She courted a Highland soldier, his name was Johnny Hart;
Says the mother to her daughter, "I'll go distracted mad
If you marry that Highland soldier dressed up in Highland plaid."

_Sergeant:_ Stop that noise.

(_Man wraps up his ballads and shuffles towards the steps_)

_Sergeant:_ Where are you going?

_Man:_ Sure you told me to be going, and I am going.

_Sergeant:_ Don't be a fool. I didn't tell you to go that way; I told you to go back to the town.

_Man:_ Back to the town, is it?

_Sergeant:_ (_Taking him by the shoulder and shoving him before him._) Here, I'll show you the way. Be off with you. What are you stopping for?

_Man:_ (_Who has been keeping his eye on the notice, points to it._) I think I know what you're waiting for, sergeant.

_Sergeant:_ What's that to you?

_Man:_ And I know well the man you're waiting for--I know him well--I'll be going.

(_He shuffles on._)

_Sergeant:_ You know him? Come back here. What sort is he?

_Man:_ Come back is it, sergeant? Do you want to have me killed?

_Sergeant:_ Why do you say that?

_Man:_ Never mind. I'm going. I wouldn't be in your shoes if the reward was ten times as much. (_Goes on off stage to left_). Not if it was ten times as much.

_Sergeant:_ (_Rushing after him._) Come back here, come back. (_Drags him back._) What sort is he? Where did you see him?

_Man:_ I saw him in my own place, in the County Clare. I tell you you wouldn't like to be looking at him. You'd be afraid to be in the one place with him. There isn't a weapon he doesn't know the use of, and as to strength, his muscles are as hard as that board (_slaps barrel_).

_Sergeant:_ Is he as bad as that?

_Man:_ He is then.

_Sergeant:_ Do you tell me so?

_Man:_ There was a poor man in our place, a sergeant from Ballyvaughan.--It was with a lump of stone he did it.

_Sergeant:_ I never heard of that.

_Man:_ And you wouldn't, sergeant. It's not everything that happens gets into the papers. And there was a policeman in plain clothes, too.... It is in Limerick he was.... It was after the time of the attack on the police barrack at Kilmallock.... Moonlight ... just like this ... waterside.... Nothing was known for certain.

_Sergeant:_ Do you say so? It's a terrible county to belong to.

_Man:_ That's so, indeed! You might be standing there, looking out that way, thinking you saw him coming up this side of the quay (_points_), and he might be coming up this other side (_points_), and he'd be on you before you knew where you were.

_Sergeant:_ It's a whole troop of police they ought to put here to stop a man like that.

_Man:_ But if you'd like me to stop with you, I could be looking down this side. I could be sitting up here on this barrel.

_Sergeant:_ And you know him well, too?

_Man:_ I'd know him a mile off, sergeant.

_Sergeant:_ But you wouldn't want to share the reward?

_Man:_ Is it a poor man like me, that has to be going the roads and singing in fairs, to have the name on him that he took a reward? But you don't want me. I'll be safer in the town.

_Sergeant:_ Well, you can stop.

_Man:_ (_Getting up on barrel._) All right, sergeant. I wonder, now, you're not tired out, sergeant, walking up and down the way you are.

_Sergeant:_ If I'm tired I'm used to it.

_Man:_ You might have hard work before you to-night yet. Take it easy while you can. There's plenty of room up here on the barrel, and you see farther when you're higher up.

_Sergeant:_ Maybe so. (_Gets up beside him on barrel, facing right. They sit back to back, looking different ways._) You made me feel a bit queer with the way you talked.

_Man:_ Give me a match, sergeant (_he gives it and man lights pipe_); take a draw yourself? It'll quiet you. Wait now till I give you a light, but you needn't turn round. Don't take your eye off the quay for the life of you.

_Sergeant:_ Never fear, I won't. (_Lights pipe. They both smoke._) Indeed it's a hard thing to be in the force, out at night and no thanks for it, for all the danger we're in. And it's little we get but abuse from the people, and no choice but to obey our orders, and never asked when a man is sent into danger, if you are a married man with a family.

_Man:_ (_Sings_)--

As through the hills I walked to view the hills and shamrock plain,
I stood awhile where nature smiles to view the rocks and streams,
On a matron fair I fixed my eyes beneath a fertile vale,
As she sang her song it was on the wrong of poor old Granuaile.

_Sergeant:_ Stop that; that's no song to be singing in these times.

_Man:_ Ah, sergeant, I was only singing to keep my heart up. It sinks when I think of him. To think of us two sitting here, and he creeping up the quay, maybe, to get to us.

_Sergeant:_ Are you keeping a good lookout?

_Man:_ I am; and for no reward too. Amn't I the foolish man? But when I saw a man in trouble, I never could help trying to get him out of it. What's that? Did something hit me?

(_Rubs his heart._)

_Sergeant:_ (_Patting him on the shoulder._) You will get your reward in heaven.

_Man:_ I know that, I know that, sergeant, but life is precious.

_Sergeant:_ Well, you can sing if it gives you more courage.

_Man:_ (_Sings_)--

Her head was bare, her hands and feet with iron bands were bound,
Her pensive strain and plaintive wail mingles with the evening gale,
And the song she sang with mournful air, I am old Granuaile.
Her lips so sweet that monarchs kissed....

_Sergeant:_ That's not it.... "Her gown she wore was stained with gore." ... That's it--you missed that.

_Man:_ You're right, sergeant, so it is; I missed it. (_Repeats line._) But to think of a man like you knowing a song like that.

_Sergeant:_ There's many a thing a man might know and might not have any wish for.

_Man:_ Now, I daresay, sergeant, in your youth, you used to be sitting up on a wall, the way you are sitting up on this barrel now, and the other lads beside you, and you singing "Granuaile"?...

_Sergeant:_ I did then.

_Man:_ And the "Shan Bhean Bhocht"?...

_Sergeant:_ I did then.

_Man:_ And the "Green on the Cape?"

_Sergeant:_ That was one of them.

_Man:_ And maybe the man you are watching for to-night used to be sitting on the wall, when he was young, and singing those same songs.... It's a queer world....

_Sergeant:_ Whisht!... I think I see something coming.... It's only a dog.

_Man:_ And isn't it a queer world?... Maybe it's one of the boys you used to be singing with that time you will be arresting to-day or to-morrow, and sending into the dock....

_Sergeant:_ That's true indeed.

_Man:_ And maybe one night, after you had been singing, if the other boys had told you some plan they had, some plan to free the country, you might have joined with them ... and maybe it is you might be in trouble now.

_Sergeant:_ Well, who knows but I might? I had a great spirit in those days.

_Man:_ It's a queer world, sergeant, and it's little any mother knows when she sees her child creeping on the floor what might happen to it before it has gone through its life, or who will be who in the end.

_Sergeant:_ That's a queer thought now, and a true thought. Wait now till I think it out.... If it wasn't for the sense I have, and for my wife and family, and for me joining the force the time I did, it might be myself now would be after breaking gaol and hiding in the dark, and it might be him that's hiding in the dark and that got out of gaol would be sitting up where I am on this barrel.... And it might be myself would be creeping up trying to make my escape from himself, and it might be himself would be keeping the law, and myself would be breaking it, and myself would be trying maybe to put a bullet in his head, or to take up a lump of a stone the way you said he did ... no, that myself did.... Oh! (_Gasps. After a pause._) What's that? (_Grasps man's arm._)

_Man:_ (_Jumps off barrel and listens, looking out over water._) It's nothing, sergeant.

_Sergeant:_ I thought it might be a boat. I had a notion there might be friends of his coming about the quays with a boat.

_Man:_ Sergeant, I am thinking it was with the people you were, and not with the law you were, when you were a young man.

_Sergeant:_ Well, if I was foolish then, that time's gone.

_Man:_ Maybe, sergeant, it comes into your head sometimes, in spite of your belt and your tunic, that it might have been as well for you to have followed Granuaile.

_Sergeant:_ It's no business of yours what I think.

_Man:_ Maybe, sergeant, you'll be on the side of the country yet.

_Sergeant:_ (_Gets off barrel._) Don't talk to me like that. I have my duties and I know them. (_Looks round._) That was a boat; I hear the oars.

(_Goes to the steps and looks down._)

_Man:_ (_Sings_)--

O, then, tell me, Shawn O'Farrell,
Where the gathering is to be.
In the old spot by the river
Right well known to you and me!

_Sergeant:_ Stop that! Stop that, I tell you!

_Man:_ (_Sings louder_)--

One word more, for signal token,
Whistle up the marching tune,
With your pike upon your shoulder,
At the Rising of the Moon.

_Sergeant:_ If you don't stop that, I'll arrest you.

(_A whistle from below answers, repeating the air._)

_Sergeant:_ That's a signal. (_Stands between him and steps._) You must not pass this way.... Step farther back.... Who are you? You are no ballad-singer.

_Man:_ You needn't ask who I am; that placard will tell you. (_Points to placard._)

_Sergeant:_ You are the man I am looking for.

_Man:_ (_Takes off hat and wig. Sergeant seizes them._) I am. There's a hundred pounds on my head. There is a friend of mine below in a boat. He knows a safe place to bring me to.

_Sergeant:_ (_Looking still at hat and wig._) It's a pity! It's a pity. You deceived me. You deceived me well.

_Man:_ I am a friend of Granuaile. There is a hundred pounds on my head.

_Sergeant:_ It's a pity, it's a pity!

_Man:_ Will you let me pass, or must I make you let me?

_Sergeant:_ I am in the force. I will not let you pass.

_Man:_ I thought to do it with my tongue. (Puts hand in breast.) What is that?

(_Voice of Policeman X outside:_) Here, this is where we left him.

_Sergeant:_ It's my comrades coming.

_Man:_ You won't betray me ... the friend of Granuaile. (_Slips behind barrel._)

(_Voice of Policeman B:_) That was the last of the placards.

_Policeman X:_ (_As they come in._) If he makes his escape it won't be unknown he'll make it.

(_Sergeant puts hat and wig behind his back._)

_Policeman B:_ Did any one come this way?

_Sergeant:_ (_After a pause._) No one.

_Policeman B:_ No one at all?

_Sergeant:_ No one at all.

_Policeman B:_ We had no orders to go back to the station; we can stop along with you.

_Sergeant:_ I don't want you. There is nothing for you to do here.

_Policeman B:_ You bade us to come back here and keep watch with you.

_Sergeant:_ I'd sooner be alone. Would any man come this way and you making all that talk? It is better the place to be quiet.

_Policeman B:_ Well, we'll leave you the lantern anyhow. (_Hands it to him._)

_Sergeant:_ I don't want it. Bring it with you.

_Policeman B:_ You might want it. There are clouds coming up and you have the darkness of the night before you yet. I'll leave it over here on the barrel. (_Goes to barrel._)

_Sergeant:_ Bring it with you I tell you. No more talk.