208
THE ROPE
Sweeney—He must be glad to see ye or he'd not
drink. 'Tis dead against it he's been these five years
past. [Shaking Ms head.~\ An' him cursin' you day
an' night! I can't put head or tail to it. Look out
he ain't meanin' some bad to ye underneath. He's
crafty at pretendin'.
Luke—[As the old man makes signs to him with
his hand.] What's he after now? He's lettin' on
he's lost his voice again. What d'yuh want? [Rent-
ley points with his stick to the rope. His lips move
convulsively as he makes a tremendous effort to ut-
ter words.]
Rentley—[Mumbling incoherently.] Luke—
Luke—rope—Luke—hang.
Sweeney—[Appalled.] There ye are! What
did I tell you? It's to see you hang yourself he's
wishin', the auld fiend!
Bentley—[Nodding.] Yes—Luke—hang.
Luke—[Taking it as a joke—with a loud guf-
faw.] Hahaha! If that don't beat the Dutch! The
old nanny-goat! Aw right, old sport. Anything to
oblige. Hahaha! [He takes the chair from left
and places it under the rope. The old man watches
Mm with eager eyes and seems to be trying to smile.
Luke stands on the chair.]
Sweeney—Have a care, now! I'd not be foolin'
with it in your place.
Luke—All out for the big hangin' of Luke Bent-
ley by hisself.    [He puts the noose about his neck