LABOURER[ to Chief ] See what will happen now! I'll trip up the woman with my foot and she'll spill the liquor. Formerly he did not grudge his last crust, but now see what he'll do about a glass of spirits!
PEASANT. Now then, wife, fill again and hand it round in due order—first to our friend here, then to Daddy Michael.
Wife fills a glass and goes round the table. The Labourer trips her up; she stumbles and upsets the glass.
WIFE. Gracious goodness, I've spilt it! Why do you get in my way, confound you?
PEASANT[ to Wife ] There now, what a clumsy beast! Her fingers are all thumbs, and she goes swearing at others! See what fine stuff she goes spilling on the ground!
WIFE. I didn't do it on purpose.
PEASANT. On purpose indeed! Wait till I get up; I'll teach you how to pour spirits on the ground. [ To Labourer ] And you too, you confounded fool, what are you prancing round the table for? Go to the Devil!
Wife again fills and hands the glasses round.
LABOURER[ goes back to the oven to the Chief ] You see? Formerly he did not grudge his last crust, and now for a glass of spirits he nearly beat his wife and sent me to you—to the Devil!
CHIEF. It's good, very good! I'm satisfied.