ed till yourself. I know what's going on better nor you. Take
an ould man's advice. Settle yourself down and give up that string
instrument. Coorse I daresay you may go and become a great man wi' it
but you're more like to become a cratur like thon that was in as not.
There's no good runnin' risks. And your father, I heerd him say
himself, if you make your bed, you'll lie on it, for he'll nivir help
you out, once you take to the fiddlin'.

ELLEN.

Aye Robbie. Its far better not to run the risk of becoming a beggar
man.

ROBBIE JOHN.

Well I'll think over it Ellen. I'll think over it.

GRANDFATHER.

Robbie, come out wi' me.

[The two go out by door into yard.
William John and Mrs. Granahan come
in arguing excitedly.]

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Well you can ha'e the poun' if you like, but I can tell you its a sore
pinch to make things do, what with the price of the sugar riz up and
the flour.

[Samuel James comes in. He takes in
the situation and seats himself again
on the table near Ellen who remains
still seated beside it.]

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

There. That's enough to do about it.

[He goes over to armchair but does not sit
down and remains facing Mrs. Granahan.]

Twenty nine poun' you'll get and no more.

[Emphatically.]

Min' that.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

I'll min' it right enough William Granahan. And its a sore time I have
trying to keep in wi' one hand what you lavish out wi' the other.

SAMUEL JAMES.

[Nudging Ellen slily.]

I was talking by the way to Mrs. McCrum the milliner, mother, to-day,
and she said to give you word she'd have your new tay gown ready for
you a Tuesday week.

WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN.

[Triumphantly.]

There you are ma'am. There you are. Keepin' it in wi' one hand were
you? Faith if I know anything you lather it out wi both hands and
feet. You want to rob me of me one poun' do ye? And all for an ould
tay gown!

[Contemptuously.]

A tay gown!