_Widow._ Well, whatever troubles come upon me in this world, have not I a right to be thankful, that has such good childer left me?--Still it grieves me, and goes to the quick of my heart, Mabel, dear, that your brother here should be slaving for me, a boy that is qualified for better.
_Owen._ And what better can I be than working for my mother--man or boy?
_Mabel._ And if he thinks it no slavery, what slavery is it, mother?
_Owen._ Mother, to-day is the day to propose for the new inn--I saw several with the schoolmaster, who was as busy as a bee, penning proposals for them, according as they dictated, and framing letters and pet.i.tions for Sir William Hamden and Miss O"Hara. Will you go up to the castle and speak, mother?
_Widow._ No, no--I can"t speak, Owen.
_Owen._ Here"s the pen and ink-horn, and I"ll sit me down, if you"d sooner write than speak.
_Widow._ See, Owen, to settle your mind, I would not wish to get that inn.
_Owen._ Not wish to get it! The new inn, mother--but if you had gone over it, as I have. "Tis the very thing for you. Neat and compact as a nutsh.e.l.l; not one of them grand inns, too great or the place, that never answers no more than the hat that"s too big for the head, and that always blows off.
_Widow._ No, dear, not the thing for me, now a widow, and your sister Mabel--tho" "tis not for me to say--such a likely, fine girl. I"d not be happy to have her in a public-house--so many of all sorts that would be in it, and drinking, may be, at fairs and funerals, and no man of the house, nor master, nor father for her.
_Owen._ Sure, mother, I"m next to a father for her. Amn"t I a brother?
and no brother ever loved a sister better, or was more jealous of respect for her; and if you"d be pleasing, I could be man and master enough.
_Widow._ (_laughing_) You, ye dear slip of a boy!
_Owen._ (_proudly, and raising his head high_) Slip of a boy as I am, then, and little as you think of me--
_Widow._ Oh! I think a great deal of you! only I can"t think you big nor old, Owen, can I?
_Owen._ No--nor any need to be big or old, to keep people of all sorts in respect, mother.
_Widow._ Then he looked like his father--did not he, Mabel?
_Mabel._ He did--G.o.d bless him!
_Owen._ Now hear me, mother, for I"m going to speak sense. You need not listen, Mabel.
_Mabel._ But it"s what I like to listen to sense, especially yours, Owen.
_Owen._ Then I can"t help it.--You must hear, even if you blush for it.
_Mabel._ Why would I blush?
_Owen._ Because you won"t be able to help it, when I say Mr.
Gilbert.--See!
_Mabel._ Oh, dear Owen! that"s not fair. (_She falls back a little._)
_Owen._ Well, mother, it"s with you I"m reasoning. If he was your son-in-law--
_Widow._ Hush! that he"ll never be. Now, Owen, I"ll grow angry if you put nonsense in the girl"s head.
_Owen._ But if it"s in the man"s head, it"s not a bit nonsense.
_Mabel._ Owen, you might well say I shouldn"t listen to you.
[_Exit MABEL._
_Widow._ There now, you"ve drove your sister off.
_Owen._ Well, Gilbert will bring her on again, may be.
_Widow._ May be--but that _may be_ of yours might lead us all wrong.
[_She lays her hand on OWEN"S arm, and speaks in a serious tone._
_Widow._ Now, dear, don"t be saying one word more to her, lest it should end in a disappointment.
_Owen._ Still it is my notion, "tis Mabel he loves.
_Widow._ Oh! what should you know, dear, o" the matter?
_Owen._ Only having eyes and ears like another.
_Widow._ Then what hinders him to speak?
_Owen._ It"s bashfulness only, mother. Don"t you know what that is?
_Widow._ I do, dear. It"s a woman should know that best. And it is not Mabel, nor a daughter of mine, nor a sister of yours, Owen, should be more forward to understand than the man is to speak--was the man a prince.
_Owen._ Mother, you are right; but I"m not wrong neither. And since I"m to say no more, I"m gone, mother.
[_Exit OWEN._
_Widow._ (_alone_) Now who could blame that boy, whatever he does or says? It"s all heart he is, and wouldn"t hurt a fly, except from want of thought. But, stay now, I"m thinking of them soldiers that is in town.
(_Sighs_) Then I didn"t sleep since ever they come; but whenever I"d be sinking to rest, starting, and fancying I heard the drum for Owen to go. (_A deep groaning sigh._) Och! and then the apparition of Owen in regimentals was afore me!
_Enter OWEN, dancing and singing,_
"Success to my brains, and success to my tongue!
Success to myself, that never was wrong!"
_Widow._ What is it? What ails the boy? Are ye mad, Owen?
_Owen._ (_capering, and snapping his fingers_) Ay, mad! mad with joy I am. And it"s joy I give you, and joy you"ll give me, mother darling.
The new inn"s yours, and no other"s, and Gilbert is your own too, and no other"s--but Mabel"s for life. And is not there joy enough for you, mother?
_Widow._ Joy!--Oh, too much! (_She sinks on a seat._)
_Owen._ I"ve been too sudden for her!
_Widow._ No, dear--not a bit, only just give me time--to feel it. And is it true? And am I in no dream now? And where"s Mabel, dear?