I hear
he often goes up to that cottage in Stradrina.
CRILLY
What cottage, Albert?
ALBERT
Briar Cottage. I hear he sits down there, and talks of coming
to live in the place.
CRILLY
_(warningly)_ Albert, don't clap hands behind the bird. Take
my word, and say nothing about it.
ALBERT
All right.
CRILLY
We'd have no comfort in the house if your mother's mind was
distracted.
_Mrs. Crilly enters from corridor. She is a woman of forty, dressed
in a tailor-made costume. She has searching eyes. There is something
of hysteria about her mouth. She has been good-looking._
CRILLY
Good night, Marianne.
MRS. CRILLY Are you finishing the abstracts, Albert?
ALBERT
I'm working at them. It's a good job we didn't leave the old
man much latitude for making mistakes.
MRS. CRILLY
_(closing door)_ He'll have to resign.
CRILLY
Good God, Marianne. _(He rises)_
MRS. CRILLY
Well. Let him be sent away without a pension. Of course,
he can live with us the rest of his life and give us nothing for
keeping him.
CRILLY
I don't know what's in your mind at all, Marianne. _(He
crosses over to the cabinet, opens it, and fills out another glass
of whisky)_
ALBERT
Let the old man do what suits himself.
CRILLY
_(coming back to stove)_ Do, Marianne. Let him do what
suits himself. For the present.
MRS. CRILLY
For pity's sake put down that glass and listen to what I
have to say.
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