Read Online The Field by John B. Keane - Free Book Online Page A

together.
    Bull: God, I was lonesome after that little yellow heifer.
    Tadhg: She was a beauty.
    Bull: She was a little queen, boy! The step of this one was like a dropping leaf, Dandy.
    Tadhg: The other four were real ladies too. They were shapely cattle, by God they were. They sold well, Da. You’ll have to admit that.
    Bull: And we had to borrow from the bank. We’re paupers but isn’t it better to be a pauper and have a clean conscience about your debts?
    Bird: Oh, by God, that’s well spoken.
    Dandy: Nicely thrown together. Nicely.
    Bull: Isn’t it better to have our principles than be millionaires. Isn’t it, Tadhg?
    Tadhg: You’re a straight man, Da.
    Dandy: None straighter.
    Bull: If a man isn’t straight, he might as well be dead.
    Bird: I admire a straight man.
    [Mick serves them with drinks]
    Bull: I grudge no man his property, but a lot of the hangin’ thieves begrudge me.
    Tadhg: ’Tis all jealousy.
    Bull: [Paying for drinks] Jealousy and spite … here’s the good health to all of us …
    All: Good luck.
    Bull: We have as fine a farm now as the best and maybe more to come and a woman with it, eh Tadhg?
    Tadhg: ’Twon’t be my fault!
    Bull: In the course of time, as the man said: in the course of time.
    Bird: And a fine heifer she is, too!
    Bull: Good legs and a great bussom, God bless the girl!
    Bird: Oh, God bless her again.
    Dandy: [Finishing his drink] Long life to her!
    Bull: She’s a good milker.
    Dandy: For a fact!
    Tadhg: A mighty milker!
    Bull: With nine acres!
    Dandy: Nine!
    Bird: Knows her banbh and her pig. Strong, too, and not bad-lookin’ when you get used to her.
    Bull: She’s all that, God bless her.
    Mick: Father Murphy …!
    [Enter Sergeant Leahy followed by the priest, Father Murphy]
    Bull: [Seemingly unaware of the new arrivals … to Maggie] Mrs Butler, from this out, we’ll give you a lift to Mass every Sunday. ’Tis too long a walk for an old woman.
    Bird: [Tips Bull’s chest] There’s a big heart in there: an outsize heart that’s too big for this world but God don’t miss nothin’ an’ ’tis wrote down in Heaven in red letters like blood.
    Dandy: Well spoke, Bird! Well spoke! Is the names of his friends there?
    Bird: [Sanctimonious, mocking] Wrote down there, my child, is the names of all the faithful.
    Bull: That’s a kindly thing to say, Bird. Ah, Father Murphy, if ’tisn’t against rules of the Church, could I get a little drop of something for you, Father? Or are the clergy not allowed to take sup in the pubs?
    Fr Murphy: No, thank you, Mr McCabe, but I will take a bottle of orange if the Sergeant here joins me.
    [Bird nudges Tadhg]
    Sergeant: I’ll have an orange.
    Bull: And welcome you are to whatever you like.
    [Maimie enters]
    Maimie: Good morning, Father.
    Fr Murphy: Good morning, Mrs Flanagan.
    [Mick gives Maimie the beck and she goes to left of bar, out of the way]
    Bird: Not a bad day outside, Father.
    Fr Murphy: Nice and fresh but a bit chilly.
    Bull: There’s a good share of sun now, considering.
    Tadhg: There’s good growth.
    Bird: There’s amazing growth for the time of year.
    Dandy: I seen buds on every bush on the way in.
    Bird: Buds, imagine, so early!
    Tadhg: Make a good summer!
    Bull: The meadows will be early; early buds, early meadows. How’re you for hay, Dandy?
    Dandy: I’ll pull through, Bull. I’ve a share of turnips yet.
    Fr Murphy: Better come to the point. This morning, Sergeant Leahy and I are making house to house calls. Our job is not a pleasant one but alas, ’tis a necessary one.
    Bull: It sounds like a collection.
    Sergeant: It’s a collection all right, but this time we’re collecting information.
    Fr Murphy: And I hope you’ll be more liberal with it than you are with your money.
    [There is an awkward silence which Mick breaks by placing drinks for the newcomers on the counter. Bull