_THOMAS MUSKERRY_ CHARACTERS THOMAS MUSKERRY The Master of Garrisowen Workhouse MRS. CRILLY His Daughter CROFTON CRILLY His Son-in-law ALBERT CRILLY His Grandson ANNA CRILLY His Granddaughter JAMES SCOLLARD Thomas Muskerry's Successor FELIX TOURNOUR The Porter at Workhouse Lodge MYLES GORMAN A Blind Piper CHRISTY CLARKE A Boy reared in the Workhouse SHANLEY | MICKIE CRIPES | Paupers in Workhouse AN OLD MAN | SCENE: _Garrisowen, a town in the Irish Midlands_. ACT FIRST _The Master's office in Garrisowen Workhouse. It is partly an office, partly a living room. To the right is a door opening on corridor, and in the back, left, a door leading to the Master's apartments. There is an iron stove down from back and towards right, and a big grandfather's clock back towards door of apartments. A basket arm chair down from stove, and a wooden chair beside it. There is a desk against wall, left, and an office stool before it. Down from this desk a table on which is a closed desk. On table are books, papers, and files. On a wooden chair beside the arm chair is a heap of newspapers and periodicals. There is a rack beside corridor door, and on rack a shawl, an old coat, a hat, and a bunch of big keys. In the corner, right, is a little cabinet, and on it a small mirror. Above door of apartments a picture of Daniel O'Connell. The grandfather's clock is ticking audibly. It is 8.45 p.m. The gas over desk is lighted_. _Christy Clarke, a youth of about seventeen, is seated in the armchair reading a periodical. His clothes are threadbare, but brushed and clean. He looks studious, and has intellectual possibilities. The clock ticks on, the boy reads, but with little attention. At the corridor door there is a knocking. Christy Clarke turns slightly. The door opens, and a tall man in the ugly dress of a pauper is seen. The man is Felix Tournour. He carries in a bucket of coal. He performs this action like one who has acquired the habit of work under an overseer. He is an ugly figure in his pauper dress. His scanty beard is coal black. He has a wide mouth and discoloured teeth. His forehead is narrow and bony. He is about forty-five._ TOURNOUR _(in a harsh voice, after looking around)_ Is he not back yet? CHRISTY _(without stirring)_ Is who not back yet? TOURNOUR The master I'm talking about. I don't know where he does be going those evenings. _He shovels coal into the stove_. CHRISTY And what is it to you where he does be going? TOURNOUR Don't talk to me like that, young fellow. You're poorhouse rearing, even though you are a pet. Will he be sitting up here to-night, do you know? CHRISTY What's that to you whether he will or not? TOURNOUR If he's sitting up late he'll want more coal to his fire. CHRISTY Well, the abstracts will have to be finished to-night.