Part 6

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I will not so long as it's not pleasing to you. Well, it is yourself took a great load off me this day! (_She goes out._)

_Nestor:_ (_Calling after her._) I might as well be putting the jackdaw back into the cage to be ready for the journey. (_Comes into shop._) I hope now he will be well treated by the sailors and he travelling over the sea.... Where is he now.... (_Chirrups._) Here now, come here to me, what's this your name is.... Nero! Nero! (_Makes pounces behind counter._) Ah, bad manners to you, is it under the counter you are gone!

(_Lies flat on the floor chirruping and calling, Nero! Nero! Nally comes in and watches him curiously._)

_Nally:_ Is it catching blackbeetles you are, Mr. Nestor? Where are they and I will give you a hand....

_Nestor:_ (_Getting up annoyed._) It's that bird I was striving to catch a hold of for to put him back in the cage.

_Tommy Nally:_ (_Making a pounce._) There he is now. (_Puts bird in cage._) Wait now till I'll fasten the gate.

_Nestor:_ Just putting everything straight and handy for the widow woman I am before she will come back from the settlement she is making in the Court.

_Nally:_ What way will she be able to do that?

_Nestor:_ I gave her advice. A thought I had, something that came from my reading. (_Taps paper._) Education and reading and going in the army through the kingdoms of the world; that is what fits a man now to be giving out advice.

_Tommy:_ Indeed, it's good for them to have you, all the poor ignorant people of this town.

_Cooney:_ (_Coming in hurriedly and knocking against Nally as he goes out._) What, now, would you say to be the best nesting place in this town. Nests of jackdaws I should say.

_Nestor:_ There is the old mill should be a good place. To the west of the station it is. Chimneys there are in it. Middling high they are. Wait now till I'll tell you of the great plan I made up....

_Cooney:_ What are you asking for those rakes in the corner? It's no matter, I'll take one on credit, or maybe it is only the lend of it I'll take. ... I'll be coming back immediately. (_He goes out with rake._)

_Sibby:_ (_Coming in excitedly._) If you went bird-catching, Mr. Nestor, tell me what way would you go doing it?

_Nestor:_ It is not long since I was reading some account of that ... lads that made a trade of it ... nets they had and they used to be spreading them in the swamps where the plover do be feeding....

_Sibby:_ Ah, sure where's the use of a plover!

_Nestor:_ And snares they had for putting along the drains where the snipe do be picking up worms.... But if I myself saw any person going after things of the sort, it is what I would advise them to stick to the net.

_Sibby:_ What now is the price of that net in the corner?

_Nestor:_ (_Taking it down._) It is but a little bag that is, suitable for carrying small articles; it would become your oranges well. Twopence I believe, Sibby, is what I should charge you for that.

_Sibby:_ (_Taking money out of handkerchief._) Give it to me so! Here I'll get the start of you, Timothy Ward, anyway.

(_She takes it and goes out, almost overturning Timothy Ward, who is rushing in._)

_Nestor:_ Well, Timothy, did you see the Widow Broderick in the Court?

_Ward:_ I did see her. It is in it she is, now, looking as content as in the coffin, and she paying her debt.

_Nestor:_ Did she give you any account of herself?

_Ward:_ She did to be sure, and to the whole Court; but look here now, I have no time to be talking. I have to be back there when the magistrates will have their lunch taken. Now you being so clever a man, Mr. Nestor, what would you say is the surest way to go catching birds?

_Nestor:_ It is a strange thing now, I was asked the same question not three minutes ago. I was just searching my mind. It seems to me I have read in some place it is a very good way to go calling to them with calls; made for the purpose they are. You have but to sit under a tree or whatever place they may perch and to whistle ... suppose now it might be for a curlew.... (_Whistles._)

_Timothy Ward:_ Are there any of those calls in the shop?

_Nestor:_ I would not say there are any made for the purpose, but there might be something might answer you all the same. Let me see now.... (_Gets down a box of musical toys and turns them over._)

_Ward:_ Is there anything now has a sound like the croaky screech of a jackdaw?

_Nestor:_ Here now is what we used to be calling a corncrake.... (_Turns it_.) Corncrake, corncrake ... but it seems to me now that to give it but the one creak, this way ... it is much like what you would hear in the chimney at the time of the making of the nests.

_Ward:_ Give it here to me!

(_Puts a penny on counter and runs out._)

_Tommy Nally:_ (_Coming in shaking with excitement._) For the love of God, Mr. Nestor, will you give me that live-trap on credit!

_Nestor:_ A trap? Sure there is no temptation for rats to be settling themselves in the Workhouse.

_Nally:_ Or a snare itself ... or any sort of a thing that would make the makings of a crib.

_Nestor:_ What would you want, I wonder, going out fowling with a crib?

_Nally:_ Why wouldn't I want it? Why wouldn't I have leave to catch a bird the same as every other one?

_Nestor:_ And what would the likes of you be wanting with a bird?

_Nally:_ What would I want with it, is it? Why wouldn't I be getting my own ten pounds?

_Nestor:_ Heaven help your poor head this day!

_Nally:_ Why wouldn't I get it the same as Mrs. Broderick got it?

_Nestor:_ Well, listen to me now. You will not get it.

_Nally:_ Sure that man is buying them will have no objection they to come from one more than another.

_Nestor:_ Don't be arguing now. It is a queer thing for you, Tommy Nally, to be arguing with a man like myself.

_Nally:_ Think now all the good it would do me ten pound to be put in my hand! It is not you should be begrudging it to me, Mr. Nestor. Sure it would be a relief upon the rates.

_Nestor:_ I tell you you will not get ten pound or any pound at all. Can't you give attention to what I say?

_Nally:_ If I had but the price of the trap you wouldn't refuse it to me. Well, isn't there great hardship upon a man to be bet up and to have no credit in the town at all.

_Nestor:_ (_Exasperated, and giving him the cage._) Look here now, I have a right to turn you out into the street. But, as you are silly like and with no great share of wits, I will make you a present of this bird till you try what will you get for it, and till you see will you get as much as will cover its diet for one day only. Go out now looking for customers and maybe you will believe what I say.

_Nally:_ (_Seizing it._) That you may be doing the same thing this day fifty years! My fortune's made now! (_Goes out with cage._)

_Nestor:_ (_Sitting down._) My joy go with you, but I'm bothered with the whole of you. Everyone expecting me to do their business and to manage their affairs. That is the drawback of being an educated man!

(_Takes up paper to read._)

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Coming in._) I declare I'm as comforted as Job coming free into the house from the Court!

_Nestor:_ Well, indeed, ma'am, I am well satisfied to be able to do what I did for you, and for my friend from Africa as well, giving him so fine and so handsome a bird.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Sure Finn himself that chewed his thumb had not your wisdom, or King Solomon that kept order over his kingdom and his own seven hundred wives. There is neither of them could be put beside you for settling the business of any person at all.

(_Sibby comes in holding up her netted bag._)

_Nestor:_ What is it you have there, Sibby?

_Sibby:_ Look at them here, look at them here.... I wasn't long getting them. Warm they are yet; they will take no injury.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ What are they at all?

_Sibby:_ It is eggs they are ... look at them. Jackdaws' eggs.

_Nestor:_ (_Suspiciously._) And what call have you now to be bringing in jackdaws' eggs?

_Sibby:_ Is it ten pound apiece I will get for them do you think, or is it but ten pound I will get for the whole of them?

_Nestor:_ Is it drink, or is it tea, or is it some change that is come upon the world that is fitting the people of this place for the asylum in Ballinasloe?

_Sibby:_ I know of a good clocking hen. I will put the eggs under her.... I will rear them when they'll be hatched out.

_Nestor:_ I suppose now, Mrs. Broderick, you went belling the case through the town?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I did not, but to the Magistrates upon the bench that I told it out of respect to, and I never mentioned your name in it at all.

_Sibby:_ Tell me now, Mrs. Broderick, who have I to apply to?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ What is it you are wanting to apply about?

_Sibby:_ Will you tell me where is the man that is after buying your jackdaw?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Looking at Nestor._) What's that? Where is he, is it?

_Nestor:_ (_Making signs of silence._) How would you know where he is? It is not in a broken little town of this sort such a man would be stopping, and he having his business finished.

_Sibby:_ Sure he will have to be coming back here for the bird. I will stop till I'll see him drawing near.

_Nestor:_ It is more likely he will get it consigned to the shipping agent. Mind what I say now, it is best not be speaking of him at all.

(_Timothy Ward comes in triumphantly, croaking his toy. He has a bird in his hand._)

_Ward:_ I chanced on a starling. It was not with this I tempted him, but a little chap that had him in a crib. Would you say now, Mr. Nestor, would that do as well as a jackdaw? Look now, it's as handsome every bit as the other. And anyway it is likely they will both die before they will reach to their journey's end.

_Nestor:_ (_Lifting up his hands._) Of all the foolishness that ever came upon the world!

_Ward:_ Hurry on now, Mrs. Broderick, tell me where will I bring it to the buyer you were speaking of. He is fluttering that hard it is much if I can keep him in my hand. Is it at Noonan's Royal Hotel he is or is it at Mack's?

_Nestor:_ (_Shaking his head threateningly._) How can you tell that and you not knowing it yourself?

_Ward:_ Sure you have a right to know what way did he go, and he after going out of this.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Her eyes apprehensively on Nestor._) Ah, sure, my mind was tattered on me. I couldn't know did he go east or west. Standing here in this place I was, like a ghost that got a knock upon its head.

_Ward:_ If he is coming back for the bird it is here he will be coming, and if it is to be sent after him it is likely you will have his address.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ So I should, too, I suppose. Where now did I put it? (_She looks to Nestor for orders, but cannot understand his signs, and turns out pocket._) That's my specs ... that's the key of the box ... that's a bit of root liquorice.... Where now at all could I have left down that address?

_Ward:_ There has no train left since he was here. Sure what does it matter so long as he did not go out of this. I'll bring this bird to the railway. Tell me what sort was he till I'll know him.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Still looking at Nestor._) Well, he was middling tall ... not very gross ... about the figure now of Mr. Nestor.

_Ward:_ What aged man was he?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I suppose up to sixty years. About the one age, you'd say, with Mr. Nestor.

_Ward:_ Give me some better account now; it is hardly I would make him out by that.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ A grey beard he has hanging down ... and a bald poll, and grey hair like a fringe around it ... just for all the world like Mr. Nestor!

_Nestor:_ (_Jumping up._) There is nothing so disagreeable in the whole world as a woman that has too much talk.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Well, let me alone. Where's the use of them all picking at me to say where did I get the money when I am under orders not to tell it?

_Ward:_ Under orders?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I am, and strong orders.

_Ward:_ Whose orders are those?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ What's that to you, I ask you?

_Ward:_ Isn't it a pity now a woman to be so unneighbourly and she after getting profit for herself?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Look now, Mr. Nestor, the way they are going on at me, and you saying no word for me at all.

_Ward:_ How would he say any word when he hasn't it to say? The only word could be said by any one is that you are a mean grasping person, gathering what you can for your own profit and keeping yourself so close and so compact. It is back to the Court I am going, and it's no good friend I'll be to you from this out, Mrs. Broderick!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Amn't I telling you I was bidden not to tell?

_Sibby:_ You were. And is it likely it was you yourself bid yourself and gave you that advice, Mrs. Broderick? It is what I think the bird was never bought at all. It is in some other way she got the money. Maybe in a way she does not like to be talking of. Light weights, light fingers! Let us go away so and leave her, herself and her money and her orders! (_Timothy Ward goes out, but Sibby stops at door._) And much good may they do her.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Listen to that, Mr. Nestor! Will you be listening to that, when one word from yourself would clear my character! I leave it now between you and the hearers. Why would I be questioned this way and that way, the same as if I was on the green table before the judges? You have my heart broke between you. It's best for me to heat the kettle and wet a drop of tea.

(_Goes to inner room._)

_Sibby:_ Tell us the truth now, Mr. Nestor, if you know anything at all about it.

_Nestor:_ I know everything about it. It was to myself the notes were handed in the first place. I am willing to take my oath to you on that. It was a stranger, I said, came in.

_Sibby:_ I wish I could see him and know him if I did see him.

_Nestor:_ It is likely you would know a man of that sort if you did see him, Sibby Fahy. It is likely you never saw a man yet that owns riches would buy up the half of this town.

_Sibby:_ It is not always them that has the most that makes the most show. But it is likely he will have a good dark suit anyway, and shining boots, and a gold chain hanging over his chest.

_Nestor:_ (_Sarcastically._) He will, and gold rings and pins the same as the King of France or of Spain.

(_Enter Cooney, hatless, streaked with soot and lime, speechless but triumphant. He holds up a nest with nestlings._)

_Nestor:_ What has happened you, Mr. Cooney, at all?

_Cooney:_ Look now, what I have got!

_Nestor:_ A nest, is it?

_Cooney:_ Three young ones in it!

_Nestor:_ (_Faintly._) Is it what you are going to say they are jackdaws!

_Cooney:_ I followed your directions....

_Nestor:_ How do you make that out?

_Caoney:_ You said the mill chimneys were full of them....

_Nestor:_ What has that to do with it?

_Cooney:_ I left my rake after me broken in the loft ... my hat went away in the millrace ... I tore my coat on the stones ... there has mortar got into my eye....

_Nestor:_ The Lord bless and save us!

_Cooney:_ But there is no man can say I did not bring back the birds, sound and living and in good health. Look now, the open mouths of them! (_All gather round_.) Three of them safe and living.... I lost one climbing the wall. ... Where now is the man is going to buy them?

_Sibby:_ (_Pointing at Nestor._) It is he that can tell you that.

_Cooney:_ Make no delay bringing me to him. I'm in dread they might die on me first.

_Nestor:_ You should know well that no one is buying them.

_Sibby:_ No one! Sure it was you yourself told us that there was!

_Nestor:_ If I did itself there is no such a man.

_Sibby:_ It's not above two minutes he was telling of the rings and the pins he wore.

_Nestor:_ He never was in it at all.

_Cooney:_ What plan is he making up now to defraud me and to rob me?

_Sibby:_ Question him yourself, and you will see what will he say.

_Cooney:_ How can I ask questions of a man that is telling lies?

_Nestor:_ I am telling no lies. I am well able to answer you and to tell you the truth.

_Cooney:_ Tell me where is the man that will give me cash for these birds, the same as he gave it to the woman of this house?

_Sibby:_ That's it, that is it. Let him tell it out now.

_Cooney:_ Will you have me ask it as often as the hairs of my head? If I get vexed I will make you answer me.

_Nestor:_ It seems to me to have set fire to a rick, but I am well able to quench it after. There is no man in South Africa, or that came from South Africa, or that ever owned a mine there at all. Where is the man bought the bird, are you asking? There he is standing among us on this floor. (_Points to Cooney._) That is himself, the very man!

_Cooney:_ (_Advancing a step._) What is that you are saying?

_Nestor:_ I say that no one came in here but yourself.

_Cooney:_ Did he say or not say there was a rich man came in?

_Sibby:_ He did, surely.

_Nestor:_ To make up a plan....

_Cooney:_ I know well you have made up a plan.

_Nestor:_ To give it unknownst....

_Cooney:_ It is to keep it unknownst you are wanting!

_Nestor:_ The way she would not suspect....

_Cooney:_ It is I myself suspect and have cause to suspect! Give me back my own ten pounds and I'll be satisfied.

_Nestor:_ What way can I give it back?

_Cooney:_ The same way as you took it, in the palm of your hand.

_Nestor:_ Sure it is paid away and spent....

_Cooney:_ If it is you'll repay it! I know as well as if I was inside you you are striving to make me your prey! But I'll sober you! It is into the Court I will drag you, and as far as the gaol!

_Nestor:_ I tell you I gave it to the widow woman....

(_Mrs. Broderick comes in._)

_Cooney:_ Let her say now did you.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ What is it at all? What is happening? Joseph Nestor threatened by a tinker or a tramp!

_Nestor:_ I would think better of his behaviour if he was a tinker or a tramp.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ He has drink taken so. Isn't drink the terrible tempter, a man to see flames and punishment upon the one side and drink upon the other, and to turn his face towards the drink!

_Cooney:_ Will you stop your chat, Mary Broderick, till I will drag the truth out of this traitor?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Who is that calling me by my name? Och! Is it Michael Cooney is in it? Michael Cooney, my brother! O Michael, what will they think of you coming into the town and much like a rag on a stick would be scaring in the wheatfield through the day?

_Cooney:_ (_Pointing at Nestor._) It was going up in the mill I destroyed myself, following the directions of that ruffian!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ And what call has a man that has drink taken to go climbing up a loft in a mill? A crooked mind you had always, and that's a sort of person drink doesn't suit.

_Cooney:_ I tell you I didn't take a glass over a counter this ten year.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ You would do well to go learn behaviour from Mr. Nestor.

_Cooney:_ The man that has me plundered and robbed! Tell me this now, if you can tell it. Did you find any pound notes in "Old Moore's Almanac"?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I did not to be sure, or in any other place.

_Nestor:_ She came in at the door and I striving to put them into the book.

_Cooney:_ Look are they in it now, and I will say he is not tricky, but honest.

_Nestor:_ You needn't be looking....

_Mrs. Broderick:_ (_Turning over the leaves._) Ne'er a thing at all in it but the things that will or will not happen, and the days of the changes of the moon.

_Cooney:_ (_Seizing and shaking it._) Look at that now! (_To Nestor._) Will you believe me now telling you that you are a rogue?

_Nestor:_ Will you listen to me, ma'am....

_Cooney:_ No, but listen to myself. I brought the money to you.

_Nestor:_ If he did he wouldn't trust you with it, ma'am.

_Cooney:_ I intended it for your relief.

_Nestor:_ In dread he was you would go follow him to Limerick.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ It is not likely I would be following the like of him to Limerick, a man that left me to the charity of strangers from Africa!

_Cooney:_ I gave the money to him....

_Nestor:_ And I gave it to yourself paying for the jackdaw. Are you satisfied now, Mary Broderick?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Satisfied, is it? It would be a queer thing indeed I to be satisfied. My brother to be spending money on birds, and his sister with a summons on her head. Michael Cooney to be passing himself off as a mine-owner, and I myself being the way I am!

_Cooney:_ What would I want doing that? I tell you I ask no birds, black, blue or white!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ I wonder at you now saying that, and you with that clutch on your arm! (_Cooney indignantly flings away nest._) Searching out jackdaws and his sister without the price of a needle in the house! I tell you, Michael Cooney, it is yourself will be wandering after your burying, naked and perishing, through winds and through frosts, in satisfaction for the way you went wasting your money and your means on such vanities, and she that was reared on the one floor with you going knocking at the Workhouse door! What good will jackdaws be to you that time?

_Cooney:_ It is what I would wish to know, what scheme are the whole of you at? It is long till I will trust any one but my own eyes again in the whole of the living world.

(_She wipes her eyes indignantly. Tommy Nally rushes in the bird and cage still in his hands._)

_Nally:_ Where is the bird buyer? It is here he is said to be. It is well for me get here the first. It is the whole of the town will be here within half an hour; they have put a great scatter on themselves hunting and searching in every place, but I am the first!

_Nestor:_ What is it you are talking about?

_Nally:_ Not a house in the whole street but is deserted. It is much if the Magistrates themselves didn't quit the bench for the pursuit, the way Tim Ward quitted the place he had a right to be!

_Nestor:_ It is some curse in the air, or some scourge?

_Nally:_ Birds they are getting by the score! Old and young! Where is the bird-buyer? Who is it now will give me my price?

(_He holds up the cage._)

_Cooney:_ There is surely some root for all this. There must be some buyer after all. It's to keep him to themselves they are wanting. (_Goes to door._) But I'll get my own profit in spite of them.

(_He goes outside door, looking up and down the street._)

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Look at what Tommy Nally has. That's my bird.

_Nally:_ It is not, it's my own!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ That is my cage!

_Nally:_ It is not, it is mine!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Wouldn't I know my own cage and my own bird? Don't be telling lies that way!

_Nally:_ It is no lie I am telling. The bird and the cage were made a present to me.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Who would make a present to you of the things that belong to myself?

_Nally:_ It was Mr. Nestor gave them to me.

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Do you hear what he says, Joseph Nestor? What call have you to be giving a present of my bird?

_Nestor:_ And wasn't I after buying it from you?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ If you were it was not for yourself you bought it, but for the poor man in South Africa you bought it, and you defrauding him now, giving it away to a man has no claim to it at all. Well, now, isn't it hard for any man to find a person he can trust?

_Nestor:_ Didn't you hear me saying I bought it for no person at all?

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Give it up now, Tommy Nally, or I'll have you in gaol on the head of it.

_Nally:_ Oh, you wouldn't do such a thing, ma'am, I am sure!

_Mrs. Broderick:_ Indeed and I will, and have you on the treadmill for a thief.

_Nally:_ Oh, oh, oh, look now, Mr. Nestor, the way you have made me a thief and to be lodged in the gaol!

_Nestor:_ I wish to God you were lodged in it, and we would have less annoyance in this place!

_Nally:_ Oh, that is a terrible thing for you to be saying! Sure the poorhouse itself is better than the gaol! The nuns preparing you for heaven and the Mass every morning of your life....