MARY. What is it he's making you give?
MICHAEL. The ten shillings in gold, and
the tin can is above tied in the sack.
MARY -- looking at the bundle with sur-
prise and dread. -- The bit of gold and the
tin can, is it?
MICHAEL. The half a sovereign, and the
gallon can.
MARY -- scrambling to her feet quickly. --
Well, I think I'll be walking off the road to
the fair the way you won't be destroying me
going too fast on the hills. (She goes a few
steps towards the left, then turns and speaks
to Sarah very persuasively. -- Let you not take
the can from the sack, Sarah Casey; for the
people is coming above would be making game


42

of you, and pointing their fingers if they seen
you do the like of that. Let you leave it safe
in the bag, I'm saying, Sarah darling. It's
that way will be best.
[She goes towards left, and pauses for a
moment, looking about her with em-
barrassment.
MICHAEL -- in a low voice. -- What ails
her at all?
SARAH -- anxiously. -- It's real wicked