The Plough and the Stars by Sean O'Casey Read Free Book Online Page B

Covey    She knew who she was givin’ it to, maybe.
    Peter    ( hotly to the Covey ) Now, I’m givin’ you fair warnin’, me young Covey, to quit firin’ your jibes an’ jeers at me … For one o’ these days, I’ll run out in front o’ God Almighty an’ take your sacred life!
    Barman    ( pushing Bessie out after Mrs Gogan ) Go on, now; out you go.
    Bessie    ( as she goes out ) If you think, me lassie, that Bessie Burgess has an untidy conscience, she’ll soon show you to th’ differ!
    Peter    ( leaving the baby down on the floor ) Ay, be Jasus, wait there, till I give her back her youngster! ( He runs to the door. ) Ay, there, ay! ( He comes back. ) There, she’s afther goin’ without her kid. What are we goin’ to do with it, now?
    The Covey    What are we goin’ to do with it? Bring it outside an’ show everybody what you’re afther findin’!
    Peter    ( in a panic to Fluther ) Pick it up, you, Fluther, an’ run afther her with it, will you?
    Fluther    What d’ye take Fluther for? You must think Fluther’s a right gom. D’ye think Fluther’s like yourself, destitute of a titther of undherstandin’?
    Barman    ( imperatively to Peter ) Take it up, man, an’ run out afther her with it, before she’s gone too far. You’re not goin’ to leave th’ bloody thing here, are you?
    Peter    ( plaintively, as he lifts up the baby ) Well, God Almighty, give me patience with all th’ scorners, tormentors, an’ twarters that are always an’ ever thryin’ to goad me into prayin’ for their blindin’ an’ blastin’ an’ burnin’ in th’ world to come! ( He goes out .)
    Fluther    God, it’s a relief to get rid o’ that crowd. Women is terrible when they start to fight. There’s no holdin’ them back. ( To the Covey ) Are you goin’ to have anything?
    The Covey    Ah, I don’t mind if I have another half.
    Fluther    ( to Barman ) Two more, Tommy, me son.
    The Barman gets the drinks.
    You know, there’s no conthrollin’ a woman when she loses her head.
    Rosie enters and goes over to the counter on the side nearest to Fluther.
    Rosie    ( to Barman ) Divil a use o’ havin’ a thrim little leg on a night like this; things was never worse … Give us a half till tomorrow, Tom, duckey.
    Barman    ( coldly ) No more tonight, Rosie; you owe me for three already.
    Rosie    ( combatively ) You’ll be paid, won’t you?
    Barman    I hope so.
    Rosie    You hope so! Is that th’ way with you, now?
    Fluther    ( to Barman ) Give her one; it’ll be all right.
    Rosie    ( clapping Fluther on the back ) Oul’ sport!
    Fluther    Th’ meetin’ should be soon over, now.
    The Covey    Th’ sooner th’ betther. It’s all a lot o’ blasted nonsense, comrade.
    Fluther    Oh, I wouldn’t say it was all nonsense. Afther all, Fluther can remember th’ time, an’ him only a dawny chiselur, bein’ taught at his mother’s knee to be faithful to th’ Shan Van Vok!
    The Covey    That’s all dope, comrade; th’ sort o’ thing that workers are fed on be th’ Boorzwawzee.
    Fluther    ( a little sharply ) What’s all dope? Though I’m sayin’ it that shouldn’t: ( catching his cheek with his hand, and pulling down the flesh from the eye ) d’ye see that mark there, undher me eye? … A sabre slice from a dragoon in O’Connell Street! ( Thrusting his head forward towards Rosie ) Feel that dint in th’ middle o’ me nut!
    Rosie    ( rubbing Fluther’s head, and winking at the Covey ) My God, there’s a holla!
    Fluther    ( putting on his hat with quiet pride ) A skelp from a bobby’s baton at a Labour meetin’ in th’ Phoenix Park!
    The Covey    He must ha’ hitten you in mistake. I don’t know what you ever done for th’ Labour Movement.
    Fluther    ( loudly ) D’ye not? Maybe, then, I done as much, an’ know as much about th’ Labour Movement as th’ chancers that are blowin’ about it!
    Barman    Speak easy, Fluther,