[Samuel James comes in. He takes in the situation and seats himself again on the table near Ellen who remains still seated beside it.] WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. There. That's enough to do about it. [He goes over to armchair but does not sit down and remains facing Mrs. Granahan.] Twenty nine poun' you'll get and no more. [Emphatically.] Min' that. MRS. GRANAHAN. I'll min' it right enough William Granahan. And its a sore time I have trying to keep in wi' one hand what you lavish out wi' the other. SAMUEL JAMES. [Nudging Ellen slily.] I was talking by the way to Mrs. McCrum the milliner, mother, to-day, and she said to give you word she'd have your new tay gown ready for you a Tuesday week. WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. [Triumphantly.] There you are ma'am. There you are. Keepin' it in wi' one hand were you? Faith if I know anything you lather it out wi both hands and feet. You want to rob me of me one poun' do ye? And all for an ould tay gown! [Contemptuously.] A tay gown! ELLEN. [Maliciously.] A taygown's not expensive. WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. Oh indeed now? Hach. You'll be wantin' one next I suppose. A nice house this is, where a man couldn't get keepin' as much as would buy him an ounce o' tobaccy. [Viciously.] Man I do hate this hypockerisy. MRS. GRANAHAN. I'll not talk any more till ye, William Granahan. You're full o' drink and bad tongued. WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. If you say any more till me, I'll smash all the crockery in the house. MRS. GRANAHAN. Come out Ellen to the creamery and maybe when we come in, he'll be a bit cooler in the head. [She hurries out followed by Ellen through door to yard.] WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. [To Samuel James.] She's a tarr'ble woman your mother when she's started. But I'm much obliged to you Samuel James for the mention o' that tay gown. By me sang, but that turned the enemy's flank. [Laughs.] I'm danged but you're the boy. [Gratefully.] Heth you saved me a poun' anyway. SAMUEL JAMES. [Rising and going over sheepishly to him.] You'll not forget me Da? will you? WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. [Suspiciously.] Na. SAMUEL JAMES. Well ye might gie us a part o' it. WILLIAM JOHN GRANAHAN. How much dy'e want? SAMUEL JAMES. Twelve shillin'.