James Joyce

Exiles James Joyce

The drawingroom in Richard Rowan's house at Merrion, a suburb of Dublin. On the right, forward, a fireplace, before which stands a low screen. Over the mantelpiece a giltframed glass. Further back in the right wall, folding doorsleading to the parlour and kitchen. In the wall at the back to the right a small door leading to a study. Left of this asideboard. On the wall above the sideboard a framed crayon drawing of a young man. More to the left double doorswith glass panels leading out to the garden. In the wall at the left a window looking out on the road. Forward in thesame wall a door leading to the hall and the upper part of the house. Between the window and door a lady's davenportstands against the wall. Near it a wicker chair. In the centre of the room a round table. Chairs, upholstered in fadedgreen plush, stand round the table. To the right, forward, a smaller table with a smoking service on it. Near it aneasychair and a lounge. Cocoanut mats lie before the fireplace, beside the lounge and before the doors. The floor is ofstained planking. The double doors at the back and the folding doors at the right have lace curtains, which are drawnhalfway. The lower sash of the window is lifted and the window is hung with heavy green plush curtains. The blind ispulled down to the edge of the lifted lower sash. It is a warm afternoon in June and the room is filled with soft sunlightwhich is waning.[BRIGID and BEATRICE JUSTICE come in by the door on the left. BRIGID is an elderly woman, lowsized, withirongrey hair. BEATRICE JUSTICE is a slender dark young woman of 27 years. She wears a wellmade navybluecostume and an elegant simply trimmed black straw hat, and carries a small portfolioshaped handbag.]BRIGID. The mistress and Master Archie is at the bath. They never expected you. Did you send word youwere back, Miss Justice?BEATRICE. No. I arrived just now. BRIGID.[Points to the easychair.] Sit down and I'll tell the master you are here. Were you long in the train?BEATRICE.[Sitting down.] Since morning. BRIGID. Master Archie got your postcard with the views of Youghal. You're tired out, I'm sure. BEATRICE. O, no. [She coughs rather nervously.] Did he practise the piano while I was away?BRIGID.[Laughs heartily.] Practice, how are you! Is it Master Archie? He is mad after the milkman's horsenow. Had you nice weather down there, Miss Justice?BEATRICE. Rather wet, I think. BRIGID.[Sympathetically.] Look at that now. And there is rain overhead too. [Moving towards the study.] I'll tellhim you are here