MRS. CRILLY
And what has the bank done?

CRILLY
I’m sorry to say, Marianne, the bank has taken the money over
from our account.

MRS. CRILLY
You’ve ruined us at last, Crofton Crilly.

CRILLY
You should never forgive me, Marianne.  I’ll go to America and
begin life again. (He turns to go out by shop)

MRS. CRILLY
We have no money left.

CRILLY
A hundred pounds, Marianne.

MRS. CRILLY
That’s Anna’s money.

CRILLY
Scollard should be satisfied.

MRS. CRILLY
Anna insists on getting her money.

CRILLY
Very well, Marianne.  I’ll leave it all to yourself.

  James Scollard comes in.  Anna is behind him.  Scollard has an
  account book in his hand.

SCOLLARD
Good morning, Mrs. Crilly.  Good morning, Mr. Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY
Good morning, Mr. Scollard.

  Crofton Crilly turns to go.

ANNA
Don’t go, father.

SCOLLARD
Don’t go, Mr. Crilly.  I have something particular to say to
yourself and Mrs. Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY
Sit down, Mr. Scollard.

  Anna brings chair, and Scollard sits center.  Anna stands behind him. 
  Mrs. Crilly sits left of him.

SCOLLARD
I am here to propose for the hand of your daughter, Miss
Anna Crilly.

MRS. CRILLY
We have nothing to say against your proposal, Mr. Scollard.

CRILLY
Won’t you take something, James?

SCOLLARD
No, thanks, Mr. Crilly.  I never touch intoxicants.

  Crofton Crilly goes into shop.

MRS. CRILLY We couldn’t wish for a better match for Anna.  But I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Scollard, that we have had a very severe loss in our business.

ANNA
What is it, mother?

MRS. CRILLY
I don’t mind telling you.  Mr. Crilly has made himself
responsible for a bill on the bank.

SCOLLARD
In whose interest, Mrs. Crilly?

MRS. CRILLY
He backed a bill for James Covey.  A bill for three
hundred pounds.

ANNA
Oh, mother!

MRS. CRILLY
It’s a dead sure loss.  I don’t know what we are to do,
Anna.

SCOLLARD
This is very bad, Mrs. Crilly.

Crofton Crilly comes back from shop.  He brings in a glass of whisky.  He puts whisky on chimney-piece.

MRS. CRILLY
The bank has taken over three hundred pounds from our
account.

CRILLY
Perhaps Scollard—­

SCOLLARD
What were you saying, Mr. Crilly?

CRILLY
Oh, I was just thinking—­about a bill you know—­If some one
would go security for us at the bank—­

ANNA
Father, what are you saying?

MRS. CRILLY
It’s unnecessary to talk like that.  In spite of your
foolishness, we still have a balance at the bank.