Part 4

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Slapping Halvey on the back._) Look at here, Sergeant. There is not one word was said in all those papers about this young man before you but it is true. And there could be no good thing said of him that would be too good for him.

_Sergeant:_ It might not be a bad idea.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Whatever the paper said about him, Sergeant, I can say more again. It has come to my knowledge--by chance--that since he came to this town that young man has saved a whole family from destruction.

_Sergeant:_ That is much to his credit--helping the rural classes----

_Mr. Quirke:_ A family and a long family, big and little, like sods of turf--and they depending on a--on one that might be on his way to dark trouble at this minute if it was not for his assistance. Believe me, he is the most sensible man, and the wittiest, and the kindest, and the best helper of the poor that ever stood before you in this square. Is not that so, Mrs. Delane?

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is true indeed. Where he gets his wisdom and his wit and his information from I don't know, unless it might be that he is gifted from above.

_Sergeant:_ Well, Mrs. Delane, I think we have settled that question. Mr. Halvey, you will be the speaker at the meeting. The lecturer sent these notes--you can lengthen them into a speech. You can call to the people of Cloon to stand out, to begin the building of their character. I saw a lecturer do it one time at Dundrum. "Come up here," he said, "Dare to be a Daniel," he said----

_Hyacinth:_ I can't--I won't----

_Sergeant:_ (_Looking at papers and thrusting them into his hand._) You will find it quite easy. I will conduct you to the platform--these papers before you and a glass of water--That's settled. (_Turns to go._) Follow me on to the Courthouse in half an hour--I must go to the barracks first--I heard there was a telegram--(_Calls back as he goes._) Don't be late, Mrs. Delane. Mind, Quirke, you promised to come.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Well, it's time for me to make an end of settling myself--and indeed, Mr. Quirke, you'd best do the same.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Rubbing his cheek._) I suppose so. I had best keep on good terms with him for the present. (_Turns._) Well, now, I had a great escape this day.

(_Both go in as Fardy reappears whistling._)

_Hyacinth:_ (_Sitting down._) I don't know in the world what has come upon the world that the half of the people of it should be cracked!

_Fardy:_ Weren't you found out yet?

_Hyacinth:_ Found out, is it? I don't know what you mean by being found out.

_Fardy:_ Didn't he miss the sheep?

_Hyacinth:_ He did, and I told him it was I took it--and what happened I declare to goodness I don't know--Will you look at these? (_Holds out notes._)

_Fardy:_ Papers! Are they more testimonials?

_Hyacinth:_ They are what is worse. (_Gives a hoarse laugh._) Will you come and see me on the platform--these in my hand--and I speaking--giving out advice. (_Fardy whistles._) Why didn't you tell me, the time you advised me to steal a sheep, that in this town it would qualify a man to go preaching, and the priest in the chair looking on.

_Fardy:_ The time I took a few apples that had fallen off a stall, they did not ask me to hold a meeting. They welted me well.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Looking round._) I would take apples if I could see them. I wish I had broke my neck before I left Carrow and I'd be better off! I wish I had got six months the time I was caught setting snares--I wish I had robbed a church.

_Fardy:_ Would a Protestant church do?

_Hyacinth:_ I suppose it wouldn't be so great a sin.

_Fardy:_ It's likely the Sergeant would think worse of it--Anyway, if you want to rob one, it's the Protestant church is the handiest.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Getting up._) Show me what way to do it?

_Fardy:_ (_Pointing._) I was going around it a few minutes ago, to see might there be e'er a dog scenting the sheep, and I noticed the window being out.

_Hyacinth:_ Out, out and out?

_Fardy:_ It was, where they are putting coloured glass in it for the distiller----

_Hyacinth:_ What good does that do me?

_Fardy:_ Every good. You could go in by that window if you had some person to give you a hoist. Whatever riches there is to get in it then, you'll get them.

_Hyacinth:_ I don't want riches. I'll give you all I will find if you will come and hoist me.

_Fardy:_ Here is Miss Joyce coming to bring you to your lodging. Sure I brought your bag to it, the time you were away with the sheep----

_Hyacinth:_ Run! Run!

(_They go off. Enter Miss Joyce._)

_Miss Joyce:_ Are you here, Mrs. Delane? Where, can you tell me, is Mr. Halvey?

_Mrs. Delane:_ (_Coming out dressed._) It's likely he is gone on to the Courthouse. Did you hear he is to be in the chair and to make an address to the meeting?

_Miss Joyce:_ He is getting on fast. His Reverence says he will be a good help in the parish. Who would think, now, there would be such a godly young man in a little place like Carrow!

(_Enter Sergeant in a hurry, with telegram._)

_Sergeant:_ What time did this telegram arrive, Mrs. Delane?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I couldn't be rightly sure, Sergeant. But sure it's marked on it, unless the clock I have is gone wrong.

_Sergeant:_ It is marked on it. And I have the time I got it marked on my own watch.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Well, now, I wonder none of the police would have followed you with it from the barracks--and they with so little to do----

_Sergeant:_ (_Looking in at Quirke's shop._) Well, I am sorry to do what I have to do, but duty is duty.

(_He ransacks shop. Mrs. Delane looks on. Mr. Quirke puts his head out of window._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ What is that going on inside? (_No answer._) Is there any one inside, I ask? (_No answer._) It must be that dog of Tannian's--wait till I get at him.

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is Sergeant Carden, Mr. Quirke. He would seem to be looking for something----

(_Mr. Quirke appears in shop. Sergeant comes out, makes another dive, taking up sacks, etc._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ I'm greatly afraid I am just out of meat, Sergeant--and I'm sorry now to disoblige you, and you not being in the habit of dealing with me----

_Sergeant:_ I should think not, indeed.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Looking for a tender little bit of lamb, I suppose you are, for Mrs. Carden and the youngsters?

_Sergeant:_ I am not.

_Mr. Quirke:_ If I had it now, I'd be proud to offer it to you, and make no charge. I'll be killing a good kid to-morrow. Mrs. Carden might fancy a bit of it----

_Sergeant:_ I have had orders to search your establishment for unwholesome meat, and I am come here to do it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Sitting down with a smile._) Is that so? Well, isn't it a wonder the schemers does be in the world.

_Sergeant:_ It is not the first time there have been complaints.

_Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose not. Well, it is on their own head it will fall at the last!

_Sergeant:_ I have found nothing so far. _Mr. Quirke:_ I suppose not, indeed. What is there you could find, and it not in it?

_Sergeant:_ Have you no meat at all upon the premises?

_Mr. Quirke:_ I have, indeed, a nice barrel of bacon.

_Sergeant:_ What way did it die?

_Mr. Quirke:_ It would be hard for me to say that. American it is. How would I know what way they do be killing the pigs out there? Machinery, I suppose, they have--steam hammers----

_Sergeant:_ Is there nothing else here at all?

_Mr. Quirke:_ I give you my word, there is no meat living or dead in this place, but yourself and myself and that bird above in the cage.

_Sergeant:_ Well, I must tell the Inspector I could find nothing. But mind yourself for the future.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Thank you, Sergeant. I will do that. (_Enter Fardy. He stops short._)

_Sergeant:_ It was you delayed that message to me, I suppose? You'd best mend your ways or I'll have something to say to you. (_Seizes and shakes him._)

_Fardy:_ That's the way everyone does be faulting me. (_Whimpers._)

(_The Sergeant gives him another shake. A half-crown falls out of his pocket._)

_Miss Joyce:_ (_Picking it up._) A half-a-crown! Where, now, did you get that much, Fardy?

_Fardy:_ Where did I get it, is it!

_Miss Joyce:_ I'll engage it was in no honest way you got it.

_Fardy:_ I picked it up in the street----

_Miss Joyce:_ If you did, why didn't you bring it to the Sergeant or to his Reverence?

_Mrs. Delane:_ And some poor person, may be, being at the loss of it.

_Miss Joyce:_ I'd best bring it to his Reverence. Come with me, Fardy, till he will question you about it.

_Fardy:_ It was not altogether in the street I found it----

_Miss Joyce:_ There, now! I knew you got it in no good way! Tell me, now.

_Fardy:_ It was playing pitch and toss I won it----

_Miss Joyce:_ And who would play for half-crowns with the like of you, Fardy Farrell? Who was it, now?

_Fardy:_ It was--a stranger----

_Miss Joyce:_ Do you hear that? A stranger! Did you see e'er a stranger in this town, Mrs. Delane, or Sergeant Carden, or Mr. Quirke?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Not a one.

_Sergeant:_ There was no stranger here.

_Mrs. Delane:_ There could not be one here without me knowing it.

_Fardy:_ I tell you there was.

_Miss Joyce:_ Come on, then, and tell who was he to his Reverence.

_Sergeant:_ (_Taking other arm._) Or to the bench.

_Fardy:_ I did get it, I tell you, from a stranger.

_Sergeant:_ Where is he, so?

_Fardy:_ He's in some place--not far away.

_Sergeant:_ Bring me to him.

_Fardy:_ He'll be coming here.

_Sergeant:_ Tell me the truth and it will be better for you.

_Fardy:_ (_Weeping._) Let me go and I will.

_Sergeant:_ (_Letting go._) Now--who did you get it from?

_Fardy:_ From that young chap came to-day, Mr. Halvey.

_All:_ Mr. Halvey!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Indignantly._) What are you saying, you young ruffian you? Hyacinth Halvey to be playing pitch and toss with the like of you!

_Fardy:_ I didn't say that.

_Miss Joyce:_ You did say it. You said it now.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Hyacinth Halvey! The best man that ever came into this town!

_Miss Joyce:_ Well, what lies he has!

_Mr. Quirke:_ It's my belief the half-crown is a bad one. May be it's to pass it off it was given to him. There were tinkers in the town at the time of the fair. Give it here to me. (_Bites it._) No, indeed, it's sound enough. Here, Sergeant, it's best for you take it.

(_Gives it to Sergeant, who examines it._)

_Sergeant:_ Can it be? Can it be what I think it to be?

_Mr. Quirke:_ What is it? What do you take it to be?

_Sergeant:_ It is, it is. I know it. I know this half-crown----

_Mr. Quirke:_ That is a queer thing, now.

_Sergeant:_ I know it well. I have been handling it in the church for the last twelvemonth----

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is that so?

_Sergeant:_ It is the nest-egg half-crown we hand round in the collection plate every Sunday morning. I know it by the dint on the Queen's temples and the crooked scratch under her nose.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Examining it._) So there is, too.

_Sergeant:_ This is a bad business. It has been stolen from the church.

_All:_ O! O! O!

_Sergeant:_ (_Seizing Fardy._) You have robbed the church!

_Fardy:_ (_Terrified._) I tell you I never did!

_Sergeant:_ I have the proof of it.

_Fardy:_ Say what you like! I never put a foot in it!

_Sergeant:_ How did you get this, so?

_Miss Joyce:_ I suppose from the stranger?

_Mrs. Delane:_ I suppose it was Hyacinth Halvey gave it to you, now?

_Fardy:_ It was so.

_Sergeant:_ I suppose it was he robbed the church?

_Fardy:_ (_Sobs._) You will not believe me if I say it.

_Mr. Quirke:_ O! the young vagabond! Let me get at him!

_Mrs. Delane:_ Here he is himself now!

(_Hyacinth comes in. Fardy releases himself and creeps behind him._)

_Mrs. Delane:_ It is time you to come, Mr. Halvey, and shut the mouth of this young schemer.

_Miss Joyce:_ I would like you to hear what he says of you, Mr. Halvey. Pitch and toss, he says.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Robbery, he says.

_Mrs. Delane:_ Robbery of a church.

_Sergeant:_ He has had a bad name long enough. Let him go to a reformatory now.

_Fardy:_ (_Clinging to Hyacinth._) Save me, save me! I'm a poor boy trying to knock out a way of living; I'll be destroyed if I go to a reformatory. (_Kneels and clings to Hyacinth's knees._)

_Hyacinth:_ I'll save you easy enough.

_Fardy:_ Don't let me be gaoled!

_Hyacinth:_ I am going to tell them.

_Fardy:_ I'm a poor orphan----

_Hyacinth:_ Will you let me speak?

_Fardy:_ I'll get no more chance in the world----

_Hyacinth:_ Sure I'm trying to free you----

_Fardy:_ It will be tasked to me always.

_Hyacinth:_ Be quiet, can't you.

_Fardy:_ Don't you desert me!

_Hyacinth:_ Will you be silent?

_Fardy:_ Take it on yourself.

_Hyacinth:_ I will if you'll let me.

_Fardy:_ Tell them you did it.

_Hyacinth:_ I am going to do that.

_Fardy:_ Tell them it was you got in at the window.

_Hyacinth:_ I will! I will!

_Fardy:_ Say it was you robbed the box.

_Hyacinth:_ I'll say it! I'll say it!

_Fardy:_ It being open!

_Hyacinth:_ Let me tell, let me tell.

_Fardy:_ Of all that was in it.

_Hyacinth:_ I'll tell them that.

_Fardy:_ And gave it to me.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Putting hand on his mouth and dragging him up._) Will you stop and let me speak?

_Sergeant:_ We can't be wasting time. Give him here to me.

_Hyacinth:_ I can't do that. He must be let alone.

_Sergeant:_ (_Seizing him._) He'll be let alone in the lock-up.

_Hyacinth:_ He must not be brought there.

_Sergeant:_ I'll let no man get him off.

_Hyacinth:_ I will get him off.

_Sergeant:_ You will not!

_Hyacinth:_ I will.

_Sergeant:_ Do you think to buy him off?

_Hyacinth:_ I will buy him off with my own confession.

_Sergeant:_ And what will that be?

_Hyacinth:_ It was I robbed the church.

_Sergeant:_ That is likely indeed!

_Hyacinth:_ Let him go, and take me. I tell you I did it.

_Sergeant:_ It would take witnesses to prove that.

_Hyacinth:_ (_Pointing to Fardy._) He will be witness.

_Fardy:_ O! Mr. Halvey, I would not wish to do that. Get me off and I will say nothing.

_Hyacinth:_ Sure you must. You will be put on oath in the court.

_Fardy:_ I will not! I will not! All the world knows I don't understand the nature of an oath!

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Coming forward._) Is it blind ye all are?

_Mrs. Delane:_ What are you talking about?

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is it fools ye all are?

_Miss Joyce:_ Speak for yourself.

_Mr. Quirke:_ Is it idiots ye all are?

_Sergeant:_ Mind who you're talking to.

_Mr. Quirke:_ (_Seizing Hyacinth's hands._) Can't you see? Can't you hear? Where are your wits? Was ever such a thing seen in this town?

_Mrs. Delane:_ Say out what you have to say.

_Mr. Quirke:_ A walking saint he is!

_Mrs. Delane:_ Maybe so.

_Mr. Quirke:_ The preserver of the poor! Talk of the holy martyrs! They are nothing at all to what he is! Will you look at him! To save that poor boy he is going! To take the blame on himself he is going! To say he himself did the robbery he is going! Before the magistrate he is going! To gaol he is going! Taking the blame on his own head! Putting the sin on his own shoulders! Letting on to have done a robbery! Telling a lie--that it may be forgiven him--to his own injury! Doing all that I tell you to save the character of a miserable slack lad, that rose in poverty.

(_Murmur of admiration from all._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ Now, what do you say?

_Sergeant:_ (_Pressing his hand._) Mr. Halvey, you have given us all a lesson. To please you, I will make no information against the boy. (_Shakes him and helps him up._) I will put back the half-crown in the poor-box next Sunday. (_To Fardy._) What have you to say to your benefactor?

_Fardy:_ I'm obliged to you, Mr. Halvey. You behaved very decent to me, very decent indeed. I'll never let a word be said against you if I live to be a hundred years.

_Sergeant:_ (_Wiping eyes with a blue handkerchief._) I will tell it at the meeting. It will be a great encouragement to them to build up their character. I'll tell it to the priest and he taking the chair----

_Hyacinth:_ O stop, will you----

_Mr. Quirke:_ The chair. It's in the chair he himself should be. It's in a chair we will put him now. It's to chair him through the streets we will. Sure he'll be an example and a blessing to the whole of the town. (_Seizes Halvey and seats him in chair._) Now, Sergeant, give a hand. Here, Fardy.

(_They all lift the chair with Halvey in it, wildly protesting._)

_Mr. Quirke:_ Come along now to the Courthouse. Three cheers for Hyacinth Halvey! Hip! hip! hoora!

(_Cheers heard in the distance as the curtain drops._)

THE RISING OF THE MOON

PERSONS

_Sergeant._ _Policeman X._ _Policeman B._ _A Ragged Man._

THE RISING OF THE MOON

_Scene: Side of a quay in a seaport town. Some posts and chains. A large barrel. Enter three policemen. Moonlight._

(_Sergeant, who is older than the others, crosses the stage to right and looks down steps. The others put down a pastepot and unroll a bundle of placards._)

_Policeman B:_ I think this would be a good place to put up a notice. (_He points to barrel._)

_Policeman X:_ Better ask him. (_Calls to Sergt._) Will this be a good place for a placard?

(_No answer._)

_Policeman B:_ Will we put up a notice here on the barrel? (_No answer._)

_Sergeant:_ There's a flight of steps here that leads to the water. This is a place that should be minded well. If he got down here, his friends might have a boat to meet him; they might send it in here from outside.

_Policeman B:_ Would the barrel be a good place to put a notice up?

_Sergeant:_ It might; you can put it there.

(_They paste the notice up._)

_Sergeant:_ (_Reading it._) Dark hair--dark eyes, smooth face, height five feet five--there's not much to take hold of in that--It's a pity I had no chance of seeing him before he broke out of gaol. They say he's a wonder, that it's he makes all the plans for the whole organization. There isn't another man in Ireland would have broken gaol the way he did. He must have some friends among the gaolers.

_Policeman B:_ A hundred pounds is little enough for the Government to offer for him. You may be sure any man in the force that takes him will get promotion.

_Sergeant:_ I'll mind this place myself. I wouldn't wonder at all if he came this way. He might come slipping along there (_points to side of quay_), and his friends might be waiting for him there (_points down steps_), and once he got away it's little chance we'd have of finding him; it's maybe under a load of kelp he'd be in a fishing boat, and not one to help a married man that wants it to the reward.

_Policeman X:_ And if we get him itself, nothing but abuse on our heads for it from the people, and maybe from our own relations.

_Sergeant:_ Well, we have to do our duty in the force. Haven't we the whole country depending on us to keep law and order? It's those that are down would be up and those that are up would be down, if it wasn't for us. Well, hurry on, you have plenty of other places to placard yet, and come back here then to me. You can take the lantern. Don't be too long now. It's very lonesome here with nothing but the moon.

_Policeman B:_ It's a pity we can't stop with you. The Government should have brought more police into the town, with _him_ in gaol, and at assize time too. Well, good luck to your watch.

(_They go out._)

_Sergeant:_ (_Walks up and down once or twice and looks at placard._) A hundred pounds and promotion sure. There must be a great deal of spending in a hundred pounds. It's a pity some honest man not to be the better of that.

(_A ragged man appears at left and tries to slip past. Sergeant suddenly turns._)

_Sergeant:_ Where are you going?

_Man:_ I'm a poor ballad-singer, your honour. I thought to sell some of these (_holds out bundle of ballads_) to the sailors. (_He goes on._)

_Sergeant:_ Stop! Didn't I tell you to stop? You can't go on there.

_Man:_ Oh, very well. It's a hard thing to be poor. All the world's against the poor!

_Sergeant:_ Who are you?

_Man:_ You'd be as wise as myself if I told you, but I don't mind. I'm one Jimmy Walsh, a ballad-singer.

_Sergeant:_ Jimmy Walsh? I don't know that name.

_Man:_ Ah, sure, they know it well enough in Ennis. Were you ever in Ennis, sergeant?

_Sergeant:_ What brought you here?

_Man:_ Sure, it's to the assizes I came, thinking I might make a few shillings here or there. It's in the one train with the judges I came.

_Sergeant:_ Well, if you came so far, you may as well go farther, for you'll walk out of this.

_Man:_ I will, I will; I'll just go on where I was going. (_Goes towards steps._)

_Sergeant:_ Come back from those steps; no one has leave to pass down them to-night.

_Man:_ I'll just sit on the top of the steps till I see will some sailor buy a ballad off me that would give me my supper. They do be late going back to the ship. It's often I saw them in Cork carried down the quay in a hand-cart.

_Sergeant:_ Move on, I tell you. I won't have any one lingering about the quay to-night.

_Man:_ Well, I'll go. It's the poor have the hard life! Maybe yourself might like one, sergeant. Here's a good sheet now. (_Turns one over._) "Content and a pipe"--that's not much. "The Peeler and the goat"--you wouldn't like that. "Johnny Hart"--that's a lovely song.

_Sergeant:_ Move on.

_Man:_ Ah, wait till you hear it. (_Sings:_)

There was a rich farmer's daughter lived near the town of Ross; She courted a Highland soldier, his name was Johnny Hart; Says the mother to her daughter, "I'll go distracted mad If you marry that Highland soldier dressed up in Highland plaid."

_Sergeant:_ Stop that noise.

(_Man wraps up his ballads and shuffles towards the steps_)

_Sergeant:_ Where are you going?

_Man:_ Sure you told me to be going, and I am going.

_Sergeant:_ Don't be a fool. I didn't tell you to go that way; I told you to go back to the town.

_Man:_ Back to the town, is it?