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Colum, Padraic, 1881-1972

"Three Plays"

And now you would take my place, my
honour, and my self-respect, and provide for them over again.
_(He goes out)_
MRS. CRILLY
I'll have to put up with this, too.
_Anna re-enters._
ANNA
Where has he gone, mother?
MRS. CRILLY
He has gone down to the Workhouse.
ANNA
What is he going to do, mother?
MRS. CRILLY
He says he will ask the Guardians to provide for him.
ANNA
It's not likely they'll do that for a man with a pension of
fifty pounds a year.
MRS. CRILLY
I don't know what will happen to us.
ANNA
He'll come back, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
He will. But everything will have been made public, and
the money will have to be paid.
ANNA
_(at the window)_ There he is going down the street, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
Which way?
ANNA
Towards the Workhouse. And here's the doctor's daughter coming
into the shop again, mother.
MRS. CRILLY
I'll go out and see her myself. _(As she goes out she
hands Anna a cheque)_ That's the last cheque I'll be able to make out.
There's your eighty pounds, Anna. _(She goes into the shop)_
ANNA
We can begin to get the furniture now.
_She sits down at the table and makes some calculation with a pencil_.
CURTAIN

ACT THIRD

_The infirm ward in the Workhouse. Entrance from corridor, right.
Forward, left, are three beds with bedding folded upon them. Back,
left, is a door leading into Select Ward.


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