PATCHA 'Twas indeed, then. And with the only suit of clothes I had too. We were both dead broke, and my landlady stopped the grub yesterday mornin', And I haven't broken my fast since. So here I am now without a bit in the world but the shirt on my back.
DANNUX The birds of the air or the fish in the sea couldn't be worse off, themselves. Why didn't you make Boulanger stay in bed and pawn his clothes instead of your own, you fool?
PATCHA That would be the devil's own strange way to entertain your guest, wouldn't it?
DANNUX
That's the queerest story I ever heard.
PATCHA
Sure we must get a bit to eat somehow. 'Tis famished
I am with the hunger, as it is.
[Brophy staggers into the room slightly intoxicated.
NEDSERS (putting out his hand to Dannux) Well, well, well! How's my old pal Wellington? Who'd ever think of finding you here! (As they shake hands) There are no friends like the old ones. The world is a small place after all. Twas in Cork we met the last time and in Fermoy before that.
DANNUX
'Pon my word but I believe you're right.
PATCHA (excitedly, to Nedsers)
Where's the food I sent you for?
NEDSERS (staggers to the side of the bed and sits down) Wait and I'll tell you what happened to me. All I got on your old suit of clothes was five shillin's, and if you don't believe me look at the ticket. (Hands ticket) Well, I went into a pub to get a drop of grog, and asked for a half shot of the best, put the five bob on the counter, got my drink, put the change in my pocket, and lo and behold, when I went to look for it again, I couldn't find a trace of it high or low. Only for that I'd have brought you somethin' to eat. There's no use cryin' over spilt milk, is there, Dannux? Wellington, I should have said. Well, how are you, anyway? 'Tis a long time since we worked together. Isn't it?