letter from him. His resentment is breaking down. He
sits on chair beside armchair. He speaks in a reconciling tone_.

MUSKERRY
You're looking well, Marianne,

MRS. CRILLY
I'm beginning to be well again.

MUSKERRY
And the infant? What age is he now?

MRS. CRILLY
Little Joseph is ten months old.

MUSKERRY
I dreamt of him last night. I thought Joseph became a bishop.
He ought to be reared for the Church, Marianne. Well, well, I've
nothing more to do with that. _(He settles himself in the armchair)_
Did Christy Clarke bring in the papers?

ANNA
Christy Clarke hasn't been here at all, grandpapa.

MUSKERRY
Stand here till I look at you Nancy. _(Anna comes left of
stove)_ I wouldn't be surprised if you were the best-looking girl in
the town, Nancy.

ANNA
_(without any coquettishness)_ Anna Crilly is riot going into
competition with the others. _(She wraps the muffler round him, then
kisses him)_ Good night, grandpapa. _(She goes out by corridor door)_

MRS. CRILLY
Thank you for the letter for Albert.

MUSKERRY
I think, Marianne, it's the last thing I can do for you or
yours.

MRS. CRILLY
Well, we can't tell a bad story of you, and things are
well with us.

MUSKERRY
I'm glad to hear that. I was thinking of going to see you
next week.

MRS. CRILLY
Come to dinner on Sunday. We are having a lamb.

MUSKERRY
What sort is the lamb?

MRS. CRILLY
Oh, a very young lamb. Anna will make the dressing for
you.

MUSKERRY
I'll send round a bottle of wine. Perhaps we'll be in the
way of celebrating something for Albert.

MRS. CRILLY
Nancy was saying that you might like to stay a few days
with us.

MUSKERRY
Stay a few days! How could I do that, ma'am?

MRS. CRILLY
You could get somebody to look after the House. James
Scollard would do it, and you could stay out for a few days.

MUSKERRY
Well, indeed, I'll do no such thing. What put it into your
head to ask me this?

MRS. CRILLY
Nancy said--

MUSKERRY
Let the girl speak for herself. What's in your mind, woman?

MRS. CRILLY
Well, you're not looking well.

MUSKERRY
I'm as well as ever I was.

MRS. CRILLY
Others do not think so.

MUSKERRY
I suppose you heard I was late a few mornings. No matter
for that. I'm as well as ever I was. No more talk about it; I'm
going on with the work. _(He rises and goes over to desk)_

MRS. CRILLY
I'm sorry to say that no one else thinks as well of you
as you do yourself.

MUSKERRY
Well, I'll hear no