its not very courteous makin' fun o' poor old weemin', Mr. Taylor.
I thought better o' you nor that.

TAYLOR.

Ould weemin'? Talk sense, Mrs. Granahan. I only wish my ould woman, if
ever I have one, looks as well as you do.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

There, there, none o' your fool nonsense. You don't go blarneyin' me,
like you do the likes of Ellen there.

ELLEN.

Ach mother!

MRS. GRANAHAN.

I'm much obledged to ye for the money Mr. Taylor. I must put it by me.

[Goes into room.]

ELLEN.

I suppose you've heard about Robbie?

TAYLOR.

[Coming near her.]

No. What's happened?

ELLEN.

He's to be married to Jane Graeme at Christmas and Mr. Graeme's comin'
over here to-day to settle about the money.

TAYLOR.

[Slily.]

I wonder who your father will be settlin' matters with Ellen, when you
get engaged.

ELLEN.

Why, of course--whoever gets me, I suppose.

TAYLOR.

Well there's one thing I wouldn't haggle with him over.

ELLEN.

And what would that be?

TAYLOR.

Yourself of course.

[He draws her to him and makes to kiss
her. Robbie John and Samuel James pass
by the window and Ellen immediately
slips away from him. When they come
in, she lifts a can and goes out by
door to yard. Robbie John and Samuel
James seat themselves at table.

Leaning against table and nodding to
both.]

Well how's the corn doin'?

SAMUEL JAMES.

Oh, fairly well the year. How's the crame market?

TAYLOR.

Much the same. Nothin' new with you I suppose?

SAMUEL JAMES.

Well they're goin' to settle Robbie the day, that's all. He's a lucky
boy.

TAYLOR.

I wish you joy, Robbie.

ROBBIE JOHN.

Thank ye. Thank ye kindly. She's a nice wee girl.

SAMUEL JAMES.

You don't seem as gay hearted as I would expect, does he Mr. Taylor?
You'd think he was for getting hung or somethin'. I suppose ye heerd
all about him givin' up the fiddle playin'? And the luck o' it. To
burn his ould fiddle, and then get another a few days after. You'd
think there was so