MRS. CRILLY
They had nothing against you before this.

MUSKERRY
I was spoken of as the pattern for the officials of Ireland.

MRS. CRILLY
If you resigned now—­

MUSKERRY
Before this comes out. (He looks for help) Marianne, it
would be like the blow to the struck ox if I lost my pension.

MRS. CRILLY
If you managed to get the pension you could pay the
Guardians back in a lump sum.

MUSKERRY
If I resigned now, where would I go to?

MRS. CRILLY
It was always understood that you would stay with us.

MUSKERRY
No, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
You’ll have the place to yourself.  The boys will be
going to school, and Albert will be away, too.  Anna and myself will
look after you.

MUSKERRY
I could stay for a while.

MRS. CRILLY
Oh, well, if you have a better place to go—­

MUSKERRY Remember what I said, Marianne.  I’ve worked for you and yours, in season and out of season.  There should be no more claims on me.

MRS. CRILLY
There are no more claims on you.

MUSKERRY
I’m willing to leave in the shop what I put into the shop. 
Let Anna know that it will come to her from me.  I’ll write to the
Guardians to-night and I’ll send in my resignation.  I venture to
think that they’ll know their loss.

  Mrs. Crilly goes out quietly by corridor door.

MUSKERRY (by himself) And I had made this place as fit for me as the nest for the wren.  Wasn’t he glad to write that card, the impudent rascal, with his tongue in his cheek?  I’ll consider it again.  I won’t leave this place till it fits myself to leave it.

  Christy Clarice enters by corridor door with papers.

MUSKERRY
They want me to resign from this place, Christy.

CHRISTY
You’re thirty years here!  Aren’t you, Mister Muskerry?

MUSKERRY Thirty years, thirty years.  Ay, Christy, thirty years; it’s a long time.  And I’m at my failing time.  Perhaps I’m not able to do any more.  Day after day there would be troubles here, and I wouldn’t be able to face them.  And in the end I might lose my position.  I’m going to write out my resignation. (He goes to the desk and writes.  Christy is at table.  Muskerry turns round after writing)

MUSKERRY No one that comes here can have the same heart for the poor that I had.  I was earning in the year of the famine.  I saw able men struggling to get the work that would bring them a handful of Indian meal.  And I saw the little children waiting on the roads for relief. (He turns back and goes on with letter.  Suddenly a bell in the House begins to toll) What’s that for, Christy?

CHRISTY
Malachi O’Rourk, the Prince, as they called him, is dead.

MUSKERRY
Aye, I gave orders to toll him when he died.  He was an
estated gentleman, and songs were made about his family.  People used
to annoy him, but he’s gone from them now.  Bring me a little whisky,
Christy.