The literary association of Yeats and Lady Gregory has been a fruitful one for Ireland. Not only has Yeats encouraged Lady Gregory's researches into the past, but she has been of the greatest assistance to him in his work. When he is at Coole, she writes from his dictation, arranges his manuscript, reads to him and serves him as literary counselor.
Lady Gregory's life touches the life of Ireland at many points. In addition to her literary occupations, she lectures and co-operates actively with a number of societies that have as their aim social or political betterment.
BARTLEY FALLON. MRS. FALLON. JACK SMITH. SHAWN EARLY. TIM CASEY. JAMES RYAN. MRS. TARPEY. MRS. TULLY. JO MULDOON, _a policeman_. A REMOVABLE MAGISTRATE.
_SCENE._--_The outskirts of a Fair. An Apple Stall. MRS. TARPEY sitting at it. MAGISTRATE and POLICEMAN enter._
MAGISTRATE. So that is the Fair Green. Cattle and sheep and mud. No system. What a repulsive sight!
MAGISTRATE. I suppose there is a good deal of disorder in this place?
MAGISTRATE. Boycotting? Maiming of cattle? Firing into houses?
POLICEMAN. There was one time, and there might be again.
MAGISTRATE. That is bad. Does it go any farther than that?
MAGISTRATE. Homicide, then! This district has been shamefully neglected! I will change all that. When I was in the Andaman Islands, my system never failed. Yes, yes, I will change all that. What has that woman on her stall?
MAGISTRATE. Just see if there are any unlicensed goods underneath--spirits or the like. We had evasions of the salt tax in the Andaman Islands.
POLICEMAN [_sniffing cautiously and upsetting a heap of apples_]. I see no spirits here--or salt.
MAGISTRATE [_to MRS. TARPEY_]. Do you know this town well, my good woman?
MRS. TARPEY [_holding out some apples_]. A penny the half-dozen, your honor.
POLICEMAN [_shouting_]. The gentleman is asking do you know the town! He's the new magistrate!
MRS. TARPEY [_rising and ducking_]. Do I know the town? I do, to be sure.
MAGISTRATE [_shouting_]. What is its chief business?
MRS. TARPEY. Business, is it? What business would the people here have but to be minding one another's business?
MRS. TARPEY. Not a trade. No trade at all but to be talking.
MAGISTRATE. I shall learn nothing here. [_JAMES RYAN comes in, pipe in mouth. Seeing MAGISTRATE he retreats quickly, taking pipe from mouth._]