Produced by Audrey Longhurst and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net THE TURN OF THE ROAD. A PLAY IN TWO SCENES AND AN EPILOGUE. BY RUTHERFORD MAYNE. MAUNSEL & CO., Limited, DUBLIN. 1907. _This play was produced in Belfast, December 1906, by the Ulster Literary Theatre. (All acting rights reserved by the Author.)_ _To LEWIS PURCELL_ _In remembrance of his kindly aid and criticism._ CHARACTERS: WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN, a farmer. MRS. GRANAHAN, his wife. SAMUEL JAMES, } their sons. ROBBIE JOHN, } ELLEN, their daughter. THOMAS GRANAHAN, father of Wm. John Granahan. JOHN GRAEME, a farmer. JANE, his daughter. MR. TAYLOR, a Creamery Manager. A TRAMP FIDDLER. THE SCENE throughout is laid in the Kitchen of William John Granahan's house in the County of Down. TIME.--The Present Day. A month elapses between Scenes I. and II. THE TURN OF THE ROAD. SCENE I. A farm kitchen of the present day. Door at back, opening to yard, and window with deal table on which are lying dishes and drying cloths with basin of water. A large crock under table. A dresser with crockery, etc., stands near to another door which opens into living rooms. Opposite there is a fireplace with projecting breasts, in which a turf fire is glowing. Time, about eight of a summer evening in July. Mrs. Granahan and Ellen are engaged at table washing and drying the plates after the supper. Thomas Granahan, the grandfather, is seated at fire place and has evidently just finished his stirabout. The strains of a quaint folk-air played on a violin, sound faintly from the inner room. MRS. GRANAHAN. Is that the whole of them now Ellen? ELLEN. Yes that's all now but one. [She goes across to grandfather and lifts the plate.] Have you finished granda? GRANDFATHER. Yes dearie I have done. [He pauses and fumbles for his pipe, &c.] Is'nt that a fiddle I'm hearing? ELLEN. Yes. Robbie's playing the fiddle in the low room. MRS. GRANAHAN. [Arranging plates on dresser and turning round.] I wish some one would stop that boy's fool nonsense wi' his fiddle. He's far too fond o' playin'. It would stand him better to mind his work. [Calls.] Robbie! [Louder.] D'you hear me Robbie? ELLEN. Oh, let the boy be, mother. Its the first time I've heard him at it this week.