CHRISTY
I want to be something.

MUSKERRY
What do you want to be?

CHRISTY
A writer.

MUSKERRY
A writer of books, is it?

CHRISTY
Yes, a writer of books.

MUSKERRY
Listen, now, and tell me do you hear anything.  That’s the
sound of bees swarming at the window.  That’s a good augury for you,
Christy.

CHRISTY
All life’s before me.

MUSKERRY
Will you give heed to what I tell you?

CHRISTY
I’ll give heed to it, Mr. Muskerry.

MUSKERRY
Live a good life.

CHRISTY
I give heed to you.

MUSKERRY
Your mother had great hardship in rearing you.

CHRISTY
I know that, Mr. Muskerry, but now I’m able for the world.

MUSKERRY
I wish success to all your efforts.  Be very careful of your
personal appearance.

CHRISTY
I will, Mr. Muskerry.

MUSKERRY
Get yourself a new cravat before you leave the town.

CHRISTY
I’ll get it.

MUSKERRY
I think I’d look better myself if I had a fresher shirt.

CHRISTY
I saw clean shirts of yours before the fire last night in my
mother’s house.

MUSKERRY
I wish I could get one before I leave this place.

CHRISTY
Will I run off and get one for you?

MUSKERRY
Would you, Christy?  Would it be too much trouble?

  Muskerry rises.

CHRISTY
I’ll go now.

MUSKERRY You’re a very willing boy, Christy, and you’re sure to get on. (He goes to a little broken mirror on the wall) I am white and loose of flesh, and that’s not a good sign with me, Christy.  I’ll tell you something.  If I were staying here to-night, it’s the pauper’s bed I’d have to sleep on.

  Mrs. Crilly comes to the door.

MRS. CRILLY
Well, I see you’re making ready for your departure.

MUSKERRY
(who has become uneasy) I am ready for my departure.

MRS. CRILLY
And this young man has come for you, I suppose?

MUSKERRY
This young man is minding his own business.

CHRISTY
I’m going out now to get a shirt for the Master.

MRS. CRILLY
A starched shirt, I suppose, Christy.  Go down to our
house, and tell Mary to give you one of the shirts that are folded up.

MUSKERRY
The boy will go where he was bid go.

MRS. CRILLY
Oh, very well.  Run, Christy, and do the message for the
Master.

  Christy Clarke goes out.

MUSKERRY
I don’t know what brought you here to-day.

MRS. CRILLY
Well, I wanted to see you.

MUSKERRY
You could come to see me when I was settled down.

MRS.
CRILLY Settled in the cottage the Guardians have given you?

MUSKERRY
Yes, ma’am.

MRS. CRILLY (with nervous excitement, restrained) No one of us will ever go near the place.