THE TURN OF THE ROAD.
A PLAY IN TWO SCENES
AND AN EPILOGUE. BY
RUTHERFORD MAYNE.
MAUNSEL & CO., Limited,
DUBLIN. 1907.
This play was produced in Belfast, December 1906, by the Ulster Literary Theatre. (All acting rights reserved by the Author.)
To LEWIS PURCELL
In remembrance of his kindly aid and criticism.
CHARACTERS:
WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN, a farmer.
MRS. GRANAHAN, his wife.
SAMUEL JAMES, } their sons.
ROBBIE JOHN, }
ELLEN, their daughter.
THOMAS GRANAHAN, father of Wm. John Granahan.
JOHN GRAEME, a farmer.
JANE, his daughter.
MR. TAYLOR, a Creamery Manager.
A TRAMP FIDDLER.
The Scene throughout is laid in the Kitchen of William John Granahan's house in the County of Down.
Time.—The Present Day.
A month elapses between Scenes I. and II.
THE TURN OF THE ROAD.
SCENE I.
A farm kitchen of the present day. Door at back, opening to yard, and window with deal table on which are lying dishes and drying cloths with basin of water. A large crock under table. A dresser with crockery, etc., stands near to another door which opens into living rooms. Opposite there is a fireplace with projecting breasts, in which a turf fire is glowing. Time, about eight of a summer evening in July. Mrs. Granahan and Ellen are engaged at table washing and drying the plates after the supper. Thomas Granahan, the grandfather, is seated at fire place and has evidently just finished his stirabout. The strains of a quaint folk-air played on a violin, sound faintly from the inner room.
Mrs. Granahan.
Is that the whole of them now Ellen?
Ellen.
Yes that's all now but one.
She goes across to grandfather and lifts the plate.
Have you finished granda?
Grandfather.
Yes dearie I have done.
He pauses and fumbles for his pipe, &c.
Is'nt that a fiddle I'm hearing?
Ellen.
Yes. Robbie's playing the fiddle in the low room.
Mrs. Granahan.
Arranging plates on dresser and turning round.
I wish some one would stop that boy's fool nonsense wi' his fiddle. He's far too fond o' playin'. It would stand him better to mind his work.
Calls.
Robbie!
Louder.
D'you hear me Robbie?
Ellen.
Oh, let the boy be, mother. Its the first time I've heard him at it this week.
Grandfather.
Och aye. Let the boy enjoy himself. You're only young wanst you know, Mary.
Ellen.
I think it must be a great thing to be a great musician. Sometimes I believe Robbie should try his luck with that fiddle of his. Somehow I know—I feel he is a genius at it.
Mrs. Granahan.
What notions you do have to be sure. To think of a big grown man like Robbie John spending his life-time at an old fiddle.
Sharply.
Blathers and nonsense. Its time that boy was out lookin' at the cattle.
Calls.
Are you there Robbie?
Louder.
Robbie John.
Robbie John.
From without. The fiddle ceases suddenly and he comes and stands with it in his hand at the door.
Aye.
Mrs. Granahan.
You'd better go down to the low field and see the cattle haven't broken through into Aura Boyd's corn. You couldn't keep them beasts in when the flies gets at them.
Robbie John.
Just one second till I try this again.
Mrs. Granahan.
Now, will you go when I tell you. You and your ould fiddle. It'll be the death of you yet. Mind what I say.
Robbie John.
Coming through door and standing there.
Bad cess to the cattle and Aura Boyd.
Grandfather.
He's a tarr'ble unneighbourly man.
Mrs. Granahan.
He's a cross grained man right enough, but it wouldn't do to have the cattle trampin' and eatin' his corn.
Robbie John.
I was down there only ten minutes ago when you sent me, and they were eatin' there quite peaceable.
Mrs. Granahan.
Now will you go Robbie John when your mother wants you. Aura Boyd sent over here this forenoon to say if that Kerry cow broke into his field again he'd have the law agin us.
Robbie John.
Och, he's a cross ould cratur. Sure, she had only one foot through the hedge when he turned her.
He sees mother is getting impatient.
All right; I'm away.
He goes back into room, leaves fiddle there, comes into kitchen again and goes out by door to yard.
Mrs. Granahan.
He's as ill to drive as the ould mare to meetin' a Sundays.
She goes and looks through door into room.
Look at the time it is and your father and Samuel James niver back yet Ellen. They're terrible late o' comin'.
Ellen.
Och, I suppose they've met some dealer at the fair and are driving a hard bargain as usual.
Grandfather.
I wonner if they got that foal red off their hands yet. It'll be a job I'm thinkin'. He was a miserable baste, and tarr'ble broken in the wind.
Ellen.
Och, trust father to make that all right. I heard Mr. Taylor, of the creamery, say that father could sell you skim milk for cream, better than any man he knew.
Mrs. Granahan.
Seating herself at chair beside table at back.
Oh, aye. It's easy for him to talk, but money's hard o' makin', and if people's soft it's their own fault. Only I hope they've no' taken any drink.
Grandfather.
It's no fault in a good man if he does take a half-un.
Mrs. Granahan.
Now, don't you be startin' to talk that way. It's always the way with them dailers. Muddle the good man's head with whiskey, and then do him.
Ellen.
Standing nonchalantly at table facing front with hands resting on it.
They'll not muddle father much I'm thinkin'. Besides, Samuel James is with him.
Grandfather.
Samuel James is a cunnin' rascal.
Mrs. Granahan.
Don't you miscall my son Mr. Granahan. He's a canny good son and works hard, and is worth more than half-a-dozen men like Robbie John. They'll no put their finger in his eye.
Goes to door back.
Bliss my heart there's that sow among the kale. Shoo!
She goes out and is heard shouting.
Ellen.
Laughing.
That poor sow. It has the times of it.
Robbie John enters and sits down near grandfather.
Grandfather.
Well, son; what about the cattle?
Robbie John.
Weariedly.
Och, they're all right. I knowed they'd be all right. It's always the way.
Grandfather.
Soothingly.
They are a terrible newsance, indeed, Robbie.
Robbie John.
But that's not what troubles me. Why can't mother leave me alone for just a few minutes till I get some time to myself at the fiddle. I niver touch it but I'm taken away and sent off somewhere.
Ellen.
Seating herself at chair beside Robbie John.
Don't be cross with her Robbie, dear. She's anxious about the cattle.
Robbie John.
But, Ellen, look here. Any time I can get to have just a tune on that fiddle, someone's sure to take me away from it. Father sends me out to mend gaps that were mended, or cut turf that was cut, or fodder horses that were foddered. And when he's away and I might have some chance, mother does the same. Here I've been workin' for the past week, day in and day out, and the very first chance I get, I must run after the cattle or somethin'.
Despondently,
Nobody has any feelin' for me here at all.
Grandfather.
Now, now; Robbie. It's all for your own good, son, she does it.
Ellen.
And we feel for him, don't we Grand-da? You mustn't look so cross, Robbie. You know that they think you're too much wrapped up in that fiddle of yours, and they want to break you off it.
Robbie John.
Determinedly.
That they never will; never.
Ellen.
Coaxingly.
Oh! look grandfather at the cross Robbie.
Grandfather.
Gazing amusedly at Robbie John.
Indeed, Robbie, you look like them prize fightin' men ye see up in the town.
Robbie John.
Well, there; is that any better.
He smiles half bitterly.
Ellen.
A wee bit. I wish Jennie Graeme seen you with that face. You wouldn't get your arm round her so easy then; would he Grand-da?
Grandfather.
A bonny wee girl she is, and has a fine farm and land comin' till her.
Aside.
Boys a dear but these musicians gets the fine weemin.
Robbie John.
There, there; and creamery managers sometimes gets them too, Grand-da.
Grandfather.
Indeed, that Taylor man will get a body can cook sowans anyway.
Ellen.
Looking through window.
Here's mother.
Mrs. Granahan.
Enters and sits down exhausted on chair at side of table next door.
That sows a torment. I just had her out and back she doubles again. She just has me fair out of wind turnin' her out.
Robbie John.
Rising and making toward door into room.
I can go and have some practisin' now.
Mrs. Granahan.
Robbie John, I seen the carts comin' up the loanin'. Your father will be in, in no time. He'll no be pleased to see you han'lin' that,
pointing to the fiddle.
just when he comes back.
Starts up as if suddenly reminded.
I must go and get them eggs counted.
Goes out again through door to yard.
Ellen.
Aye, Robbie; don't take it. He'll just think you've been playin' that all the time he was away. And he's always that cross after markets, you couldn't stand him.
Robbie John.
Sitting down again.
You're right. I don't want another talkin' to like the last one; but its hard.
He takes up a stick from fuel beside fireplace and starts whittling it. The rattle of carts is heard. Samuel James passes the window and walks in. He is partially intoxicated, enough only to make him talkative.
Ellen.
Well, how did the fair go off?
Samuel James takes off his overcoat, flings it on back of chair beside dresser and sits down heavily.
Ah! you've been takin' a drop, as usual.
Samuel James.
Scowls at this but does not deny.
The fair. Oh, it was great value. Sure grand-da he sould the foal for thirty poun'.
Grandfather.
Astonished
Boys a dear but William John Granahan bates the divil. And who took her?
Samuel James.
There was a cavalryman bought her. Boys but Da is the hard man to plaze. We stopped at Muc Alanan's on the way home and met William John McKillop there, and he toul' the oul' man he was a fool to let a good horse go at that price, for he was lookin' all roads to give him thirty poun' for it; only he couldn't get in time for the sale.
Grandfather.
Incredulously.
Who did you say? McKillop?
Samuel James.
Laughing.
Aye.
Robbie John.
Smiling.
Sure McKillop hasn't two sov'rins in the wide world. He was only takin' a rise out of Da.
Samuel James.
Sure I knowed the ould Yahoo hadn't the price of a nanny-goat. But of course, Da tuk it all in for gospel. And me sittin' listenin to him tellin' ould McKillop what a grand action the foal had and the shoulders the baste had, and the way it could draw thirty hundred up Killainey hill without a pech.
Grandfather.
Astonished.
William John Granahan makes a tarr'ble fine Sunday School teacher.
Samuel James.
Grinning.
But to see ould McKillop sittin' there as solemn as a judge, drinkin' it all in as if gospel and winkin' at me on the sly, the ould rascal, and cursin' his luck at losin' such a bargain.
The voice of William John Granahan can be heard inviting some one to come on. The strains of a fiddle played by uncertain but unmistakeably professional hands, sounds from the same direction.
Ellen.
Looking out through window into yard.
Who's that father has got with him Samuel James? Oh such a dirty looking man!
Samuel James.
Chuckling.
Da got ahoult of him at Buckna cross roads and right or wrong he'd have him home wi' him to show Robbie John what fiddlin' brings a man till.
Ellen.
Severely.
Its my mind that you and father have been stayin' too long in the public house, Samuel James.
William John Granahan and tramp fiddler can be seen outside window.
Look at them—comin' in! oh my; wait till mother sees the pair of them.
William John Granahan comes in leading a ragged looking bearded tramp with an old fiddle tucked under his arm.
William John Granahan.
Now we're hame, and we'll get a drop to drink and a bite to eat, Mr. Fiddler.
He goes over to fireplace and stands with his back to the fire.
Take a sate at the fire and warm yourself.
No one offers a seat to the tramp who stands puzzled looking and swaying in a drunken manner in the kitchen, slightly in front of Samuel James, who remains seated beside dresser engaged in taking off his leggings.
Ellen. Get us a drop o' tay and give this poor misguided cratur somethin' to eat.
Ellen.
Moves over to dresser and then stands at door into room. She evidently disapproves of the tramp and does not offer to obey. The grandfather rises in disgust and moves his chair nearer the fireplace away from the tramp.
Tramp.
To Ellen.
Your pardon noble lady, I intrude. Your pardon signor I incommode you. Times change and so do men. Ladies and gentlemen behold in me the one time famous leader of the Blue Bohemian Wind and String Band that had the honour of appearing before all the crowned heads of Europe.
William John Granahan.
God bless me, d'you say so mister? D'ye hear that Robbie John. There's a fiddler for you and see what comes of it.
Tramp.
Perhaps with your permission I may venture to play you a few extracts from my repertoire. I can play to suit all tastes from a simple country ballad to a concerto by Brahms or the great Russian composer Tschaikouski.
William John Granahan.
Openmouthed.
Them Rooshians has the tarr'ble names!
Tramp.
Firstly I shall play that touching little ballad I heard Monsieur here warble so sweetly as we rolled homeward on his chariot. If I play he accompanies me with voice. Ne'st ce pas, Monsieur?
William John Granahan.
Nervously.
Is your mother out Ellen?
Ellen.
She's lookin' after the hens I think. She won't hear you.
William John Granahan starts singing two verses of a folk song, the tramp accompanying meanwhile with fiddle, always putting in an extra flourish. The rest all join, even the grandfather beats time with a stick. The door opens and Mrs. Granahan appears seemingly astonished at the uproar. All suddenly cease singing and try to appear innocent, except the tramp, who goes on playing. He suddenly notices the cessation.
Tramp.
Bravo. A most exquisite little air and beautifully rendered.
He stops short on seeing Mrs. Granahan who stands glaring at him arms akimbo.
Your pardon madam. You are the mistress I take it of this most noble and hospitable house.
Mrs. Granahan.
Ignoring him and going to centre of floor where she looks angrily at William John Granahan who endeavours to appear unconcerned.
You should be well ashamed of yourself William John Granahan. What will they say about you in the Session I wonner next Sabbath day. D'you think my house is a home for all the dirt and scum of the country side?
Tramp.
Your pardon madam. You owe me an apology. Appearances belie me but scum I am not. I was at one time the well known and justly famous leader of the Blue Bohemian Wind and String—
Mrs. Granahan.
Wind and string fiddlesticks. Out you go. Out you will go. I want no tramps in here upsettin' my house and makin' it the talk of the neighbours. Out you go at once.
Tramp.
With drunken pride.
I thrust my company on no man or woman uninvited.
Mrs. Granahan.
Out you go. I want no excuses. Put him out of this Samuel James.
Samuel James eludes his mother's eye and beckons the tramp to stay on.
The drunken wretch comin' in here. A nice place you'd have it William Granahan with your fine company.
William John Granahan.
I brought him home here as a tarr'ble and awful warnin' to Robbie John what this sort of an occupation brings a man till. Yon see him Robbie John. There's you're great fiddlin' for you. Be warned in time.
Robbie John.
The tramp moves to the door. Robbie John rises and goes across to him and taps him on the shoulder.
Here.
Slips him money.
God bless you poor wanderin' soul and God forbid any Granahan should ever be treated as you have been.
Tramp.
Sir, I thank you.
Coming back to him and confidentially.
Perhaps I could yet please your ears with a romanza which I composed myself—
Mrs. Granahan.
Away with you out of this. We want none of your music here.
Samuel James.
To tramp.
Why don't you give up playin' that fiddle of yours and turn your hand to honest work?
Tramp.
Proudly.
Desert my fiddle. The fiddle presented to me at Vienna by my orchestra! A genuine old Cremona 200 years old! Rather would I wander in Hades for ever. Never! Though cruel words stab and wound me.
Half sobbing.
Farewell.
All remain quiet. The strains of a melancholy air like a serenade come from outside. It slowly dies away in the distance. Robbie John moves forward as if to go out.
Mrs. Granahan.
Sharply.
Robbie John. Where are you going? Don't dare to leave the house. My son going out to keep company with the likes of that dirty rapscallion.
Robbie John.
Ah mother pity the poor wretch. Every word you said to him cut and wounded me to the quick. Did you not see the tears in his eyes for all his fine talk. I should like to know more about him.
Samuel James.
If you went to the sergeant at the barrack, I warrant ye he could tell you more about him.