MRS. CRILLY
Fifty pounds! We can't afford to lose fifty pounds.
ANNA
Who would find out about the coal, father?
CRILLY
The Guardians who take stock.
ANNA
And how would they know at this time whether there was a
hundred or a hundred and fifty tons there at first?
CRILLY
The business men amongst them would know. However, there
won't be an inspection for some time.
ANNA
Suppose grandfather had got his pension and had left the
Workhouse, who would know about the coal?
CRILLY
The new Workhouse Master.
MRS. CRILLY
The new Workhouse Master--
CRILLY
Marianne--
MRS. CRILLY
Well?
CRILLY
I think I'll stay here and advise the old man.
MRS. CRILLY
No. Go away.
CRILLY
_(at door of apartments)_ After all, I'm one of the Guardians,
and something might be done.
MRS. CRILLY
You can do nothing. We can do nothing for him. Let him
go to the strangers.
_Crilly goes out_.
MRS. CRILLY
Anna!
ANNA
Yes, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
The Martins are not giving up their house for a year or two?
ANNA
No, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
If he resigns now his pension will be safe. There is
nothing else against him.
ANNA
But some one will find out the difference in the coal.
MRS. CRILLY
It's the new Workhouse Master who will know that.
ANNA
_(hardening)_ But _he_ could not pass such a thing, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
_(abandoning a position)_ Well, after your grandfather
gets his pension we could make some arrangement with the Guardians.
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