MUSKERRY
Well, I'll trust her, ma'am.
MRS. CRILLY (taking Muskerry's sleeve) Don't go to-day, anyway.
MUSKERRY You're very anxious to get me to come with you. What do you want from me?
MRS. CRILLY We want nothing from you. You know how insecure our business is. When it's known in the town that you forsake us, everybody will close in on us.
MUSKERRY God knows I did everything that a man could do for you and yours. I won't forget you. I haven't much life left to me, and I want to live to myself.
MRS. CRILLY I know. Sure I lie awake at night, too tired to sleep, and long to get away from the things that are pressing in on me. I know that people are glad of their own way, and glad to live in the way that they like. When I heard the birds stirring I cried to be away in some place where I won't hear the thing that's always knocking at my head. The business has to be minded, and it's slipping away from us like water. And listen, if my confinement comes on me and I worried as I was last year, nothing can save me. I'll die, surely.
MUSKERRY (moved) What more do you want me to do?
MRS. CRILLY Stay with us for a while, so that we'll have the name of your support.
MUSKERRY
I'll come back to you in a week.
MRS. CRILLY
That wouldn't do at all. There's a reason for what I ask.
The town must know that you are with us from the time you leave this.