_Mrs. Broderick:_ I will not go in it! I would sooner make any shift and die by the side of the wall. Sure heaven is the best place, heaven and this world we’re in now! _Sibby:_ Don’t be giving up now, ma’am. Here is Mr. Nestor coming, and if any one will give you an advice he is the one will do it. Why wouldn’t he, he being, as he is, an educated man, and such a great one to be reading books. _Mrs. Broderick:_ So he is too, and keeps it in his mind after. It’s a wonder to me a man that does be reading to keep any memory at all. _Nally:_ It’s easy for him to carry things light, and his pension paid regular at springtime and harvest. (_Nestor comes in reading “Tit-Bits.”_) _Nestor:_ There was a servant girl in Austria cut off her finger slicing cabbage.... _All:_ The poor thing! _Nestor:_ And her master stuck it on again with glue. That now was a very foolish thing to do. What use would a finger be stuck with glue that might melt off at any time, and she to be stirring the pot? _Sibby:_ That is true indeed. _Nestor:_ Now, if I myself had been there, it is what I would have advised.... _Sibby:_ That’s what I was saying, Mr. Nestor. It is you are the grand adviser. What now will you say to poor Mrs. Broderick that has a summons out against her this day for up to ten pounds? _Nestor:_ It is what I am often saying, it is a very foolish thing to be getting into debt. _Mrs. Broderick:_ Sure what way could I help it? It’s a very done-up town to be striving to make a living in. _Nestor:_ It would be a right thing to be showing a good example. _Mrs. Broderick:_ They would want that indeed. There are more die with debts on them in this place than die free from debt. _Nestor:_ Many a poor soul has had to suffer from the weight of the debts on him, finding no rest or peace after death. _Sibby:_ The Magistrates are gone into the Courthouse, Mrs. Broderick. Why now wouldn’t you go up to the bank and ask would the manager advance you a loan? _Mrs. Broderick:_ It is likely he would not do it. But maybe it’s as good for me go as to be sitting here waiting for the end. (_Puts on hat and shawl._) _Nestor:_ I now will take charge of the shop for you, Mrs. Broderick. _Mrs. Broderick:_ It’s little call there’ll be to it. The time a person is sunk that’s the time the custom will go from her. (_She goes out._) _Nally:_ I’ll be taking a ramble into the Court to see what are the lads doing. (_Goes out._) _Sibby:_ (_Following them._) I might chance some customers there myself. (_Goes out calling—oranges, good oranges._) _Nestor:_ (_Taking a paper from his pocket, sitting down, and beginning to read._) “Romantic elopement in high life. A young lady at Aberdeen, Missouri, U.S.A., having been left by her father an immense fortune....” (_Stops to wipe his spectacles, puts them on again and looks for place, which he has lost. Cooney puts his head in at door and draws it out again._) _Nestor:_ Come in, come in!