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 more about it, and that’s enough about it. 
Why isn’t Albert Crilly here?

MRS. CRILLY
Well, he was here, and he is coming back.

MUSKERRY I’ll want him. (He takes up a card left on the desk.  He turns round and reads)—­“You have let the Guardians pay for a hundred tons.  James Covey delivered only fifty tons of coal.”  Who left this here?

MRS. CRILLY
I suppose Albert left it for you.

MUSKERRY The impudent rascal.  How dare he address himself like that to me? (He throws card on table)

MRS. CRILLY
Perhaps he found something out in the books.

MUSKERRY No matter whether he did or not, he’ll have to have respect when he addresses me.  Anyway it’s a lie—­a damn infernal lie.  I was in the stores the other day, and there was eighty tons of coal still there.  Certainly twenty tons had been taken out of it.  The Provision Check Account will show. (He takes up a book and turns round.  He goes back some pages.  He lets the book fall.  He stands there helpless) I suppose you all are right in your judgment of me.  I’m at my failing time.  I’ll have to leave this without pension or prospect.  They’ll send me away.