ALBERT
’Pon my word, father, the mother will have to take out a
mandamus against you.

CRILLY
(with parental dignity) Don’t talk to me in that way, Sir.

ALBERT
It’s scandalous, really.  I expect you’ve ruined the business.

CRILLY
I hate the world and all its works and pomps.

ALBERT
I believe you’ve done for the business.  I’m going away.

CRILLY
Then you’ve got the other appointment?

ALBERT
Temporary clerkship in the Land Department.  I wonder would
the mother let me have the money for clothes?

CRILLY
(desperately) Don’t mention it at all to her.

ALBERT
I have a card from a Dublin tailor in my pocket.  If I could
pay him for one suit, I could get another on tick.

CRILLY
I tell you not to talk to your mother about money.  That fellow,
Scollard, has put her out.

ALBERT
How’s that?

CRILLY
Money again.  Wants the whole of Anna’s portion down.  And
Anna’s backing him up, too.  I don’t know how your mother can stand it. 
I don’t like Scollard.  Then you won’t be staying on, Albert, to do
the stocktaking in the Workhouse?

ALBERT
No; they’ll have to get some one else.  I’m glad to be out of
that job.

CRILLY
I’m not sorry, Albert.

ALBERT
The mother would expect me to do something queer in my report.

CRILLY Between you and me, Albert, women aren’t acquainted with the working of affairs, and they expect unusual things to happen.  Who will they make stocktaker, now?

ALBERT
Young Dobbs, likely.  I suppose the whole business about the
coal will come out then?

CRILLY
I suppose it will; but say nothing about it now, Albert.  Let
the hare sit.

ALBERT
What does the old man think about it now?

CRILLY
He’s very close to himself.  I think he has forgotten all
about it.

ALBERT
I wouldn’t say so.

CRILLY
Who’s that in the shop, Albert?

ALBERT
Felix Tournour.

CRILLY (rising) I wonder what they think about Scollard in the Poor-house. (He and Albert go into the shop as Muskerry enters from left)

  Muskerry is untidily dressed.  His boots are unlaced.  He walks
  across the room and speaks pettishly.

MUSKERRY They haven’t brought my soup yet.  They won’t give much of their time to me.  I’m disappointed in Anna Crilly.  Well, a certain share in this shop was to have gone to Anna Crilly.  I’ll get that share, and I’ll hoard it up myself.  I’ll hoard it up.  And the fifty pounds of my pension, I’ll hoard that up, too.

  Albert comes in from shop.

MUSKERRY
That’s a black fire that’s in the grate.  I don’t like the
coal that comes into this place.

ALBERT
Coal, eh, grandpapa.