Chapter-21

-- The Great MacFin --
(An English Crumpet Western)

ACT IV

$SCENE II
[at Horace's Ranch house]

[Enter Lady Shirl, her Son, and ROSS]

Lady Shirl
What made Horace leave this land? What did he do?

ROSS
You must have patience, Ma'm.

Lady Shirl
Well ... He is gone: He must have been crazy. Me thinks, Our fears do make us traitors.

ROSS
But M'am ... We don't know Whether it was wisdom or fear that made him leave.

Lady Shirl
Hah! Wisdom? ... to leave his wife, and to leave his babes, His ranch and his cows? So whar'd he go?

I think He loves them not; Even the smallest bird would fight for, Her young ones in their nest, against the owl.

He must have been all afraid ... certainly, not much Love or wisdom was inside him when he ran away ... it doesn't make any sense.

ROSS
But My dearest ... M'am ... Just hold on! Your husband knows what he is doing and He best knows when and how to do it.

Well ... I won't say anything more, right now.

We live in cruel times and there are bad guys out there, everywhar.

Now When All we hear are rumour ... this makes us doubly troubled ... when we don't know what is happening; we thrash aboot not knowing what to do.

I'll take my leave of you, now:

... But not for long. I'll soon be here again: Now Don't worry, when things get tough the tough ... ... well, you know!

My pretty M'am, Blessings upon you!

Lady Shirl
Father'd he is, and yet he's fatherless.

ROSS
I am a fool, should I stay longer. It would be to my disgrace and your discomfort: So I'd better take my leave, at once.

[Exit]

Lady Shirl
But son, your father's dead; And what will you do now? How will you live?

Son
As birds do, mother.

Lady Shirl
What, with worms and bugs?

Son
With what I get ... as do they.

Lady Shirl
My Poor bird! thou hast never suffered want, nor fear, nor pitfall, nor even-gain.

Son
Why should I, mother? Poor birds are not put upon.

My father is not dead ... even tho you are saying this.

Lady Shirl
Oh Yes ... he is dead; Now What will you do for a father?

Son
No, No! What will you do for a husband?

Lady Shirl
Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.

Son
But Then you'll only buy them ... to sell again.

Lady Shirl
You speak smartly: But Is your wit enough for you.

Son
Was my father a traitor, mother?

Lady Shirl
Yes, that, he was.

Son
What is a traitor?

Lady Shirl
Why, one that swears and lies.

Son
And do all traitors do this?

Lady Shirl
Every one that does this, is a traitor, and must be hanged.

Son
And must they all be hanged-that swear and lie?

Lady Shirl
Yes ... Every one.

Son
Who must hang them?

Lady Shirl
Why, the honest men, of course.

Son
Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are not enough honest men to hang them up.

Lady Shirl
Oh! My poor monkey!

But still, what wilt thou do for a father?

Son
If he were dead, you'd be weeping for him: and you are not, it is a good sign and I will quickly have my father, back.

Lady Shirl
How you talk on!

[Enter a Messenger]

Cowboy
Hello M'am Although you don't know me, I am your friend!

I warn you that danger is approaching: If you will take my advice, Take the little one and git outta here, fast!

Now I am not trying to unnecessarily frighten you because that would be too too cruel Never-the-less, danger is near.

May Heaven help you! Now I must go. I dare not stay here.

[Exit]

Lady Shirl
Well ... whar shall I go? I have done no harm to anyone.

But I know that life is not fair and that; doing harm is often praised while doing good is not only foolish but could be can be dangerous as well.

Am I to say-in my only womanly defence- only that I have done no harm?

[Enter farmers]

Who are these people?

First farmer
Whar is your husband?

Lady Shirl
In a place whar you can't find him.

First farmer
He's a traitor.

Son
Thou liest, you shag-haired dog!

First farmer
What! ... an egg!

[Stabbing him]

Young son of evil-treachery!

Son
He has kill't me, mother: Git away, fast, I pray you!

[Dies]

[Exit Lady Shirl, crying 'Murder!' They All Git Out farmers, following her]

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