MRS. CRILLY My father was seriously ill only a short time ago, and I do not believe he is in a fit state to leave the infirmary. SCOLLARD That certainly has to be considered. Without the doctor explicitly sending you down to the body of the house you are hardly under my jurisdiction, Mr. Muskerry. MUSKERRY Mr. Scollard, I ask you to give me leave to go out of the Workhouse for a day. You can do this on your own responsibility. MRS. CRILLY In the present state of his mind it's not likely he would return to-night. Then if anything happened him your situation is at stake. MUSKERRY I'm not a pauper. I'll go out of this to-day without leave or license from any of you. SCOLLARD As you know yourself, Mr. Muskerry, it would be as much as my situation is worth to let you depart in that way. MUSKERRY Well, go I will. SCOLLARD I cannot permit it, Mr. Muskerry. I say it with the greatest respect. MUSKERRY How long will you keep me here? SCOLLARD Until the doctor visits the house. MUSKERRY That will be on Monday morning. SCOLLARD And this is Saturday, Mr. Muskerry. MUSKERRY And where will you put me until Monday? SCOLLARD Other arrangements will be made for you. MUSKERRY It's the pauper's bed you would give me! SCOLLARD The old arrangements will continue. Can I do anything further for you, Mr. Muskerry? MUSKERRY No, you can do nothing further for me. It's a great deal you have done for me! It's the pauper's bed you have given me! _(He goes into the Select Ward)_ MRS. CRILLY Sit down, Mr. Scollard. I want to speak to you. _Mrs. Crilly seats herself at the table. Scollard sits down also._ MRS. CRILLY The bank manager is in the town to-day, and there are people waiting to tell him whether my father goes to our house or goes away from us. SCOLLARD No doubt there are, Mrs. Crilly. MRS. CRILLY But you have nothing to do with that, Mr. Scollard. SCOLLARD No, Mrs. Crilly. MRS. CRILLY I have my own battle to fight, and a hard battle it is. I have to make bits of myself to mind everything and be prepared for everything. SCOLLARD No doubt, Mrs. Crilly. MRS. CRILLY There are people who will blame me, but they cannot see into my mind. SCOLLARD Will you come down to the parlour, Mrs. Crilly? MRS. CRILLY Yes, I'll go down. _She remains seated, looking out steadily before her. Myles Gorman comes in. He is dressed in his own clothes_. SCOLLARD Well, Gorman, what brings you back to the ward? GORMAN I just want to do something to my pipes, Master. SCOLLARD Very well, Gorman. You have your discharge, and you are free to leave. GORMAN Oh, in a while I'll be taking the road. _He seats himself at the fire and begins to fix the bag of his pipes_. SCOLLARD Now, Mrs. Crilly, come down to the parlour. MRS. CRILLY Yes. SCOLLARD Anna is waiting to see you. MRS. CRILLY _(rising)_ He will be well cared for here. SCOLLARD He will, Mrs. Crilly. I will give him all attention.