MUSKERRY
You always have a scheme.
MRS. CRILLY
Come to us for this evening itself.
MUSKERRY
I wish you wouldn't trouble me, woman. Can't you see that
when I go out of this I want to go to my own place?
MRS. CRILLY
You can go there to-morrow.
MUSKERRY
Preparations are made for me.
MRS. CRILLY
You don't know what preparations.
MUSKERRY
Two pounds of the best beef-steak were ordered to be sent
up to-day.
MRS. CRILLY
I wouldn't trust that woman, Mrs. Clarke, to cook
potatoes.
MUSKERRY
Well, I'll trust her, ma'am.
MRS. CRILLY
_(taking Muskerry's sleeve)_ Don't go to-day, anyway.
MUSKERRY
You're very anxious to get me to come with you. What do you
want from me?
MRS. CRILLY
We want nothing from you. You know how insecure our
business is. When it's known in the town that you forsake us,
everybody will close in on us.
MUSKERRY
God knows I did everything that a man could do for you and
yours. I won't forget you. I haven't much life left to me, and I
want to live to myself.
MRS. CRILLY
I know. Sure I lie awake at night, too tired to sleep,
and long to get away from the things that are pressing in on me. I
know that people are glad of their own way, and glad to live in the
way that they like. When I heard the birds stirring I cried to be
away in some place where I won't hear the thing that's always
knocking at my head.
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