THOMAS.It iss no disgrace whateffer! All that a mortal man coult do he hass tone.It iss against Human Nature he hass gone; fery natural any man may do that; but Chapel has spoken and he must not go against her.
[JAN imitates the cuckoo.]
Ton't make that squeaking! [Going to the door.] Here iss my daughter come to sit with you.A fery goot day, Ma'am--no fretting --rememper!
[MADGE comes in and stands at the open door, watching the street.]
MADGE.You'll be late, Father; they're beginning.[She catches him by the sleeve.] For the love of God, stand up to him, Father--this time!
THOMAS.[Detaching his sleeve with dignity.] Leave me to do what's proper, girl!
[He goes out.MADGE, in the centre of.the open doorway, slowly moves in, as though before the approach of some one.]
ROUS.[Appearing in the doorway.] Madge!
[MADGE stands with her back to MRS.ROBERTS, staring at him with her head up and her hands behind her.]
ROUS.[Who has a fierce distracted look.] Madge! I'm going to the meeting.
[MADGE, without moving, smiles contemptuously.]
D' ye hear me?
[They speak in quick low voices.]
MADGE.I hear! Go, and kill your own mother, if you must.
[ROUS seizes her by both her arms.She stands rigid, with her head bent back.He releases her, and he too stands motionless.]
ROUS.I swore to stand by Roberts.I swore that! Ye want me to go back on what I've sworn.
MADGE.[With slow soft mockery.] You are a pretty lover!
ROUS.Madge!
MADGE.[Smiling.] I've heard that lovers do what their girls ask them--[JAN sounds the cuckoo's notes]
--but that's not true, it seems!
ROUS.You'd make a blackleg of me!
MADGE.[With her eyes half-closed.] Do it for me!
ROUS.[Dashing his hand across his brow.] Damn! I can't!
MADGE.[Swiftly.] Do it for me!
ROUS.[Through his teeth.] Don't play the wanton with me!
MADGE.[With a movement of her hand towards JAN--quick and low.]
I would be that for the children's sake!
ROUS.[In a fierce whisper.] Madge! Oh, Madge!
MADGE.[With soft mockery.] But you can't break your word for me!
ROUS.[With a choke.] Then, Begod, I can!
[He turns and rushes off.]
[MADGE Stands, with a faint smile on her face, looking after him.She turns to MRS.ROBERTS.]
MADGE.I have done for Roberts!
MRS.ROBERTS.[Scornfully.] Done for my man, with that----!
[She sinks back.
MADGE.[Running to her, and feeling her hands.] You're as cold as a stone! You want a drop of brandy.Jan, run to the "Lion"; say, Isent you for Mrs.Roberts.
MRS.ROBERTS.[With a feeble movement.] I'll just sit quiet, Madge.
Give Jan--his--tea.
MADGE.[Giving JAN a slice of bread.] There, ye little rascal.
Hold your piping.[Going to the fire, she kneels.] It's going out.
MRS.ROBERTS.[With a faint smile.] 'T is all the same!
[JAN begins to blow his whistle.]
MADGE.Tsht! Tsht!--you [JAN Stops.]
MRS.ROBERTS.[Smiling.] Let 'im play, Madge.
MADGE.[On her knees at the fire, listening.] Waiting an' waiting.
I've no patience with it; waiting an' waiting--that's what a woman has to do! Can you hear them at it--I can!
[JAN begins again to play his whistle; MADGE gets up; half tenderly she ruffles his hair; then, sitting, leans her elbows on the table, and her chin on her hands.Behind her, on MRS.
ROBERTS'S face the smile has changed to horrified surprise.She makes a sudden movement, sitting forward, pressing her hands against her breast.Then slowly she sinks' back; slowly her face loses the look of pain, the smile returns.She fixes her eyes again on JAN, and moves her lips and finger to the tune.]
The curtain falls.
