He becomes more excited; he is seen to be struggling with words.

END OF PLAY

THE LAND was first produced at the Abbey Theater, Dublin, in June, 1905, by The Irish National Theater Society, under the direction of W.G.  Fay, with the following cast:—­

MURTAGH COSGAR W. G. Fay
MATT Proinsias MacSiubhlaigh
SALLY Sara Allgood
MARTIN DOURAS F.J.  Fay
CORNELIUS Arthur Sinclair
ELLEN Maire Ni Gharbhaigh.

THOMAS MUSKERRY

CHARACTERS

THOMAS MUSKERRY The Master of Garrisowen Workhouse
MRS. CRILLY His Daughter
CROFTON CRILLY His Son-in-law
ALBERT CRILLY His Grandson
ANNA CRILLY His Granddaughter
JAMES SCOLLARD Thomas Muskerry’s Successor
FELIX TOURNOUR The Porter at Workhouse Lodge
MYLES GORMAN A Blind Piper
CHRISTY CLARKE A Boy reared in the Workhouse
SHANLEY |
MICKIE CRIPES | Paupers in Workhouse
AN OLD MAN |

SCENE:  Garrisowen, a town in the Irish Midlands.

ACT FIRST

The Master’s office in Garrisowen Workhouse.  It is partly an office, partly a living room.  To the right is a door opening on corridor, and in the back, left, a door leading to the Master’s apartments.  There is an iron stove down from back and towards right, and a big grandfather’s clock back towards door of apartments.  A basket arm chair down from stove, and a wooden chair beside it.  There is a desk against wall, left, and an office stool before it.  Down from this desk a table on which is a closed desk.  On table are books, papers, and files.  On a wooden chair beside the arm chair is a heap of newspapers and periodicals.  There is a rack beside corridor door, and on rack a shawl, an old coat, a hat, and a bunch of big keys.  In the corner, right, is a little cabinet, and on it a small mirror.  Above door of apartments a picture of Daniel O’Connell.  The grandfather’s clock is ticking audibly.  It is 8.45 p.m.  The gas over desk is lighted.

Christy Clarke, a youth of about seventeen, is seated in the armchair reading a periodical.  His clothes are threadbare, but brushed and clean.  He looks studious, and has intellectual possibilities.  The clock ticks on, the boy reads, but with little attention.  At the corridor door there is a knocking.  Christy Clarke turns slightly.  The door opens, and a tall man in the ugly dress of a pauper is seen.  The man is Felix Tournour.  He carries in a bucket of coal.  He performs this action like one who has acquired the habit of work under an overseer.  He is an ugly figure in his pauper dress.  His scanty beard is coal black.  He has a wide mouth and discoloured teeth.  His forehead is narrow and bony.  He is about forty-five.

TOURNOUR (in a harsh voice, after looking around) Is he not back yet?