Brian Friel Plays 2 by Brian Friel

Author:Brian Friel [Christopher Murray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571300648
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2013-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

SCENE TWO

Almost a year has passed. The same rooms as in Scene One, but Mabel has added to the furnishings and the room is now more comfortable and more colourful.

Mabel is sitting alone doing delicate and complicated lacework. She works in silence for some time. Then from offstage the sudden and terrifying sound of a young girl shrieking. This is followed immediately by boisterous laughter, shouting, horseplay and a rapid exchange in Irish between a young girl and a young man.

Mabel is terrified by the shriek. She drops her lacework. Her eyes are shut tight. She sits frozen in terror for a few seconds – even when it is obvious that the screaming is horseplay. Then in sudden fury she jumps to her feet and goes to the exit left. As she goes – and unseen by her – her sister Mary enters right. Mary Bagenal is slightly older than Mabel. Like Mabel there is a hint of Staffordshire in her accent. And like Mabel she is a determined young woman.

Mabel (at exit) Shut up out there! D’you hear me? Just shut up! If you want to behave like savages, go on back to the bogs! (She is suddenly aware – and embarrassed – that Mary has overheard her outburst.) Just horseplay. You would think they were killing each other, wouldn’t you? And I’m wasting my breath because they don’t understand a word of English. (There is an awkward silence. Mabel picks up her lacework.)

Mary They’re getting my carriage ready. It’s a long way back to Newry.

Mabel It’s only fifty miles.

Mary I suppose that’s all.

Mabel (impulsively) Stay the night, Mary.

Mary I can’t.

Mabel Please. For my sake. Please.

Mary I’d like to, Mabel; you know I would but –

Mabel Just one night.

Mary If I’m not home before dark – you know our Henry – he’d be worried sick.

Mabel Let him worry about you for a change.

Mary I really can’t, Mabel. Not this time. Anyhow you and I always fight after a few hours.

Mabel Do we?

Mary Well … sometimes.

Mabel In that case.

Mary Next time … maybe.

Mabel Next time.

Mary That’s a promise.

Another brief burst of shrieking and horseplay off. The sisters smile uneasily at each other. Pause.

I left a box of nectarine and quince in your pantry. And a few jars of honey. Last year’s, I’m afraid. If it crystallizes just dip it in warm water.

Mabel Thank you.

Pause.

Mary They have no bees here, have they?

Mabel No, we haven’t.

Mary I’ve finally persuaded our Henry to move his hives away from the house, thank heavens. Do you remember – just beyond the vegetable garden? – where Father built the fishpond? – that’s where they are now. In a semicircle round the pond.

Mabel Yes.

Mary He has over a hundred hives now.

Mabel Has he?

Mary Maybe more.

Mabel Really?

Mary We sold about four thousand pounds of honey last year. To the army mostly. They would buy all he can produce but they don’t always pay him. (Pause.) And do you remember that bog land away to the left of the pond? Well, you wouldn’t recognize that area now.

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