Part 8 (2/2)

_Charlie Ward._ When those common men drink it's what they fall down.

They haven't the heads. They're not like us that have to keep heads and heels on us.

_Paddy c.o.c.kfight._ It's well we kept them out of this, or they'd be lying on the floor now, and there'd be no place for my poor bird to show himself off. Look at him now! Isn't he the beauty! [_Takes out the c.o.c.k._

_Charlie Ward._ Now boys, settle the place, put over those barrels out of that. [_They push barrels into a row at back._] Paul, you sit on the bin the way you'll get a good view.

[_A loud knock at the door. An authoritative voice outside._

_Voice._ Open this door.

_Paddy c.o.c.kfight._ That's Green, the Removable; I know his voice well!

_Charlie Ward._ Clear away, boys. Back with those c.o.c.ks. There, throw that sack over the baskets. Quick, will ye!

_Colonel Lawley._ [_Outside._] Open this door at once.

_Mr. Green._ [_Outside._] I insist on this door being opened.

_Molly the Scold._ What do they want at all? I wish we didn't come into a place with no back door to it.

_Paul Ruttledge._ There's nothing to be afraid of. Open the door, Charlie. [CHARLIE WARD _opens the door_.

_Enter_ MR. GREEN, COLONEL LAWLEY, MR. DOWLER, MR. JOYCE, MR. ALGIE _and_ THOMAS RUTTLEDGE.

_Paddy c.o.c.kfight._ All J.P.'s; I have looked at every one of them from the dock!

_Mr. Green._ Mr. Ruttledge, this is very sad.

_Mr. Joyce._ This is a disgraceful business, Paul; the whole countryside is demoralized. There is not a man who has come to sensible years who is not drunk.

_Mr. Dowler._ This is a flagrant violation of all propriety. Society is shaken to its roots. My own servants have been led astray by the free drinks that are being given in the village. My butler, who has been with me for seven years, has not been seen for the last two days.

_Paul Ruttledge._ I am sure you will echo Mr. Dowler, Algie.

_Mr. Algie._ Indeed I do. I endorse his sentiments completely. There has not been a stroke of work done for the last week. The hay is lying in ridges where it has been cut, there is not a man to be found to water the cattle. It is impossible to get as much as a horse shod in the village.

_Paul Ruttledge._ I think you have something to say, Colonel Lawley?

_Colonel Lawley._ I have undoubtedly. I want to know when law and order are to be re-established. The police have been quite unable to cope with the disorder. Some of them have themselves got drunk. If my advice had been taken the military would have been called in.

_Mr. Green._ The military are not indispensable on occasions like the present. There are plenty of police coming now. We have wired to Dublin for them, they will be here by the four o'clock train.

_Paul Ruttledge._ [_Gets down from his bin._] But you have not told me what you have come here for? Is there anything I can do for you?

_Thomas Ruttledge._ Won't you come home, Paul? The children have been asking for you, and we don't know what to say.

<script>