SHANLEY
We’ll have somebody else in the Select Ward this evening.

CRIPES
That’s what they were talking about.  The nuns are sending a
patient up here.

SHANLEY
I suppose the Ward-master will be in here to regulate the
room. (He rises)

CRIPES
Aye, the Ward-master.  Felix Tournour, the Ward-master.  You’ve
come to your own place at last, Felix Tournour.

SHANLEY
Felix Tournour will be coming the master over me if he finds
me here. (Shanley goes out)

CRIPES
Felix Tournour!  That’s the lad that will be coming in with
his head up like the gander that’s after beating down a child.

  Christy Clarice enters.  He carries a little portmanteau.

CHRISTY
Is Mr. Muskerry here?

CRIPES
He’s in the room. (A sound of water splashing and the
movements of a heavy person are heard) Will you be speaking with him,
young fellow?

CHRISTY
I will.

CRIPES Tell him, like a good little boy, that the oul’ men would be under a favour to him if he left a bit of tobacco.  You won’t forget that?

CHRISTY
I won’t forget it.

CRIPES
I don’t want to be in the way of Felix Tournour.  We’re going
down to the yard, but we’ll see Mr. Muskerry when he’s going away.

  Cripes goes out.

MUSKERRY
(within) Is that you, Christy Clarke?

CHRISTY
It is, Mr. Muskerry.

MUSKERRY
Have you any news, Christy?

CHRISTY
No news, except that my mother is in the cottage, and is
expecting you to-day.

MUSKERRY I’ll be in the cottage to-day, Christy.  I’m cleaning myself. (A sound of splashing and moving about) The Guardians were good to get the little house for me.  I’d as lieve be there as in a mansion.  There’s about half an acre of land to the place, and I’ll do work on the ground from time to time, for it’s a good thing for a man to get the smell of the clay.

CHRISTY
And how are you in health, Mr. Muskerry?

MUSKERRY
I’m very well in health.  I was anointed, you know, and
after that I mended miraculously.

CHRISTY
And what about the pension?

MUSKERRY I’m getting three hundred pounds.  They asked me to realize the pension.  I hope I have life enough before me. (He comes out.  He has on trousers, coat, and starched shirt.  The shirt is soiled and crushed)

MUSKERRY On Saturdays I’ll do my marketing.  I’ll come into the town, and I’ll buy the bit of meat for my dinner on Sunday.  But what are you doing with this portmanteau, Christy?

CHRISTY
I’m going away myself.

MUSKERRY
To a situation, is it?

CHRISTY
To a situation in Dublin.

MUSKERRY I wish you luck, Christy. (He shakes hands with the boy, and sits down on a chair) I was dreaming on new things all last night.  New shirts, new sheets, everything new.