KILROY [_rising_]. Come back, Ellen. Don’t go away.... [_To MRS. S._] Briget, get this man put out of the road. Put him in the churn and put the lid on him.... I’ll fetch Ellen back in a minute.... [_Hurries out back._] PROF. I’m tired. [_Sits._] JOSEPH. Will this matter to you and me, Peggy? PEGGY. It won’t matter to me, Joseph. JOSEPH. No, nor to me.... I don’t care if the Professor was ten times as bad a case.... Nor my father doesn’t care either.... PROF. Nor your mother won’t care either, Joseph.... Wait till she hears what your father has to say outside. She’ll come in and eat out of my hand.... JOSEPH. Awwwh! PROF. What are you trying to say? Gum, if I strike you I’ll change the whole shape of your face. You oaf. MRS. S. Tim, I’ll forgive you a lot if you go and lie down in the room for half an hour.... PROF. I don’t think you’ve a great lot to forgive.... I think I’m the injured party.... _KILROY and MRS. K. come in back. He is very red and embarrassed, she very crestfallen._ KILROY. We’re all right now. Sit down, Ellen. Sit down. _KILROY and MRS. K. resume their places at table._ PROF. Mrs. ... Mrs. ... Kilroy, I apologise. I’ll behave myself like a gentleman and a scholar. I’m tired. KILROY. There now, Ellen. He won’t bother us again. He’s not that bad after all. [_Takes up glass._] Come on now. Let’s all be the best of friends. Here’s luck and prosperity and wedding bells. Drink up, Ellen.... _All drink._ PEGGY. Uncle, will you have some wine? PROF. No, dear. I’ve the pledge, for life. MRS. S. Tea, Peggy. _PEGGY is pouring out tea when MR. ALLISON comes in back. He has a bundle of papers in his hand._ ALLISON. Well, Professor, are you still here? PROF. No, I’m evaporated. KILROY. Nothing wrong, Mr. Allison? ALLISON. Not a thing the matter, James. I was over at your place and was told you were here. The Bank wants this agreement signed by you and John Scally to-night.... JOHN. Me! What does the Bank want me to sign? MRS. S. Silence, John! JOHN. This is too sarious for silence! [_To ALLISON_] What business have you or the Bank with me? MRS. S. James Kilroy bought Rush Hill on the understanding that you would go in with him as security.... JOHN. James Kilroy never mentioned the like to me! MRS. S. But he mentioned it to me! I said you’d do it and you shall! JOHN [_bouncing up_]. Well, I’m cursed if I shall! PROF. Bully Johnny! Your “shall’s” not geographically correct, but that’s only a detail. JOHN. I know myself what I mean. I’ll sign no bills! No bills. [_Sits._] MRS. S. Mr. Allison, have you the papers here? ALLISON. Yes, ma’am. [_Takes paper from bundle._] MRS. S. Hand it to me and a pen. ALLISON [_gives her both_]. Your husband signs there [_points_]. PROF. Now, Johnny! You’re going to get your new spine tested.