owards 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 striking
two. (_He sits down and opens paper._)

DANIEL. Well--I met a few friends last night. Appreciative friends I
could talk to, and I was explaining that new idea of mine that I've
been working at so long--that new idea for a fan-bellows. It's a great
thing. 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--better
ones.

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, I
believe 'twill make our fortune, I do.

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

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

MARY. Never mind her, uncle. (_Coming close beside him._) Do you mind
the time last time, uncle, when you went up to Belfast for a week to
see 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 boy
that you met, and you were going to bring him down here.

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

MARY. Was he nice, uncle?

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

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

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

MARY (_walking away to the left and then back again pouting_). I'm
sick of the boys here. There's only Alick McCready that's anyway
passable. 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 five
times now, and somehow you never seem to get anything done. That's
what he said, mind you, uncle.

DANIEL (