I'm much obledged to ye for the money Mr. Taylor. I must put it by me. [Goes into room.] ELLEN. I suppose you've heard about Robbie? TAYLOR. [Coming near her.] No. What's happened? ELLEN. He's to be married to Jane Graeme at Christmas and Mr. Graeme's comin' over here to-day to settle about the money. TAYLOR. [Slily.] I wonder who your father will be settlin' matters with Ellen, when you get engaged. ELLEN. Why, of course--whoever gets me, I suppose. TAYLOR. Well there's one thing I wouldn't haggle with him over. ELLEN. And what would that be? TAYLOR. Yourself of course. [He draws her to him and makes to kiss her. Robbie John and Samuel James pass by the window and Ellen immediately slips away from him. When they come in, she lifts a can and goes out by door to yard. Robbie John and Samuel James seat themselves at table. Leaning against table and nodding to both.] Well how's the corn doin'? SAMUEL JAMES. Oh, fairly well the year. How's the crame market? TAYLOR. Much the same. Nothin' new with you I suppose? SAMUEL JAMES. Well they're goin' to settle Robbie the day, that's all. He's a lucky boy. TAYLOR. I wish you joy, Robbie. ROBBIE JOHN. Thank ye. Thank ye kindly. She's a nice wee girl. SAMUEL JAMES. You don't seem as gay hearted as I would expect, does he Mr. Taylor? You'd think he was for getting hung or somethin'. I suppose ye heerd all about him givin' up the fiddle playin'? And the luck o' it. To burn his ould fiddle, and then get another a few days after. You'd think there was some sort of a strange warnin' or advice or somethin' in it. TAYLOR. It is very strange. ROBBIE JOHN. Samuel James do ye remember the time that ould tramp was playin' on this fiddle, as he went out that day, down the loney? [Samuel James nods.] Well, it seemed to me as if he were playin' to bring me out after him. D'ye mind the story, Mr. Taylor, about the piper that went off with all the children, and was niver heard tell of again. TAYLOR. Aye. ROBBIE JOHN. Well I could feel him drawin' me out after him the very same way. And last night, as sure as death, I heard the same uncanny air singin' in my ears, and it seemed to be callin' me to come out o' this. TAYLOR. [Exchanges startled looks with Samuel James.]