e people are paying nobody. But we can't refuse her.
I suppose we'll have to send them up. Be very distant with her, Anna.

ANNA
I've kept her waiting. Here's a letter, mother.

MRS. CRILLY
_(taking letter)_ When did it come, Anna?

ANNA
It's just handed in.

_Anna goes out. Mrs. Crilly opens letter_.

MRS. CRILLY
It's from the bank. They want me to call. What does the
bank manager want with me, I wonder?

CRILLY
I have something to tell you, Marianne. I'll tell you in a
while. _(He takes a turn up and down)_

MRS. CRILLY
What do you want to tell me?

CRILLY
Prepare your mind, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
What is it?

CRILLY
I owe you money, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
Money! How do you owe me money?

CRILLY
That cute boy, James Covey, who took in all the town--

MRS. CRILLY
_(rising)_ Covey! My God! You backed a bill for him?

CRILLY
I'll make a clean breast of it. I did.

MRS. CRILLY
_(with fear in her eyes)_ How much is it?

CRILLY
_(walking away to window)_ I'll come to that, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
Did any one back the bill with you?

CRILLY
I obliged the fellow. No one backed the bill with me.

MRS. CRILLY
Does any one know of it?

CRILLY
No, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
The bank.... Tell me what happened.

CRILLY
The bank manager sent for me when he came to the town after
Covey cleared.

MRS. CRILLY
We had four hundred pounds in the bank.

CRILLY
We had, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
Tell me how much was the bill.

CRILLY
There's no use in beating about the bush. The bill was for
three hundred pounds.

MRS. CRILLY
And what has the bank done?

CRILLY
I'm sorry to say, Marianne, the bank has taken the money over
from our account.

MRS. CRILLY
You've ruined us at last, Crofton Crilly.

CRILLY
You should never forgive me, Marianne. I'll go to America and
begin life again. _(He turns to go out by shop)_

MRS. CRILLY
We have no money left.

CRILLY
A hundred pounds, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
That's Anna's money.

CRILLY
Scollard should be satisfied.

MRS. CRILLY
Anna insists on getting her money.

CRILLY
Very well, Marianne. I'll leave it all to yourself.

_James Scollard comes in. Anna is behind him. Scollard has an
account book in his hand_.

SCOLLARD
Good morning, Mrs. Crilly. Good morning, Mr. Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY
Good morning, Mr. Scollard.

_Crofton Crilly turns to go_.

ANNA
Don't go, father.

SCOLLARD
Don't go, Mr. Crilly. I have something