She's as good as you are, every bit of it.
MRS. HOLROYD(blazing)
Whatever I was and whatever I may be, don't you ever come near me again.
HOLROYD
What! I'll show thee. What's the hurt to you if a woman comes to the house? They're women as good as yourself, every whit of it.
MRS. HOLROYD
Say no more.Gowith them then, and don't come back.
HOLROYD
What! Yi, I will go, an' you s'll see. What! You think you're something, since your uncle left you that money, an' Blackymore puttin' you up to it. I can see your little game. I'm not as daft as you imagine. I'm no fool, I tell you.
MRS. HOLROYD
No, you're not. You're a drunken beast, that's all you are.
HOLROYD
What, what—I'm what? I'll show you who's gaffer, though. (He threatens her)
MRS. HOLROYD(between her teeth)
No, it's not going on. Ifyouwon't go, I will.
HOLROYD
Go then, for you've always been too big for your shoes, in my house—
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes—I ought never to have looked at you. Only you showed a fair face then.
HOLROYD
What! What! We'll see who's master i' this house. I tell you, I'm goin' to put a stop to it. (He brings his fist dawn on the table with a bang) It's going to stop. (He bangs the table again) I've put up with it long enough. Do you think I'm a dog in the house, an' not a man, do you—
MRS. HOLROYD
A dog would be better.
HOLROYD
Oh! Oh! Then we'll see. We'll see who's the dog and who isna. We're goin' to see. (He bangs the table)
MRS. HOLROYD
Stop thumping that table! You've wakened those children once, you and your trollops.
HOLROYD
I shall do what the deuce I like!
MRS. HOLROYD
No more, you won't, no more. I've stood this long enough. Now I'm going. As for you—you'vegot a red face where she slapped you. Now go to her.
HOLROYD
What? What?
MRS. HOLROYD
For I'm sick of the sights and sounds of you.
HOLROYD(bitterly)
By God, an' I've known it a long time.
MRS. HOLROYD
You have, and it's true.
HOLROYD
An' I know who it is th'rt hankerin' after.
MRS. HOLROYD
I only want to be rid of you.
HOLROYD
I know it mighty well. ButIknow him!
[Mrs. Holroyd, sinking down on the sofa, suddenly begins to sob half-hysterically. Holroyd watches her. As suddenly, she dries her eyes.
MRS. HOLROYD
Do you think I care about what you say? (Suddenly) Oh, I've had enough. I've tried, I've tried for years, for the children's sakes. Now I've had enough of your shame and disgrace.
HOLROYD
Oh, indeed!
MRS. HOLROYD(her voice is dull and inflexible)
I've had enough. Go out again after those trollops—leave me alone. I've had enough. (Holroyd stands looking at her) Go, I mean it, go out again. And if you never come back again, I'm glad. I've had enough. (She keeps her face averted, will notlook at him, her attitude expressing thorough weariness)
HOLROYD
All right then!
[He hobbles, in unlaced boots, to the door. Then he turns to look at her. She turns herself still farther away, so that her back is toward him. He goes.
CURTAIN
The scene is the same, two hours later. The cottage is in darkness, save for the firelight. On the table is spread a newspaper. A cup and saucer, a plate, a piece of bacon in the frying tin are on the newspaper ready for the miner's breakfast. Mrs. Holroyd has gone to bed. There is a noise of heavy stumbling down the three steps outside.
BLACKMORE'S VOICE
Steady, now, steady. It's all in darkness. Missis!—Has she gone to bed?
[He tries the latch—shakes the door.
HOLROYD'S VOICE(he is drunk)
Her's locked me out. Let me smash that bloody door in. Come out—come out—ussza! (He strikes a heavy blow on the door. There is a scuffle)
BLACKMORE'S VOICE
Hold on a bit—what're you doing?
HOLROYD'S VOICE
I'm smashing that blasted door in.
MRS. HOLROYD(appearing and suddenly drawing the bolts, flinging the door open) What do you think you're doing?
HOLROYD(lurching into the room, snarling)
What? What? Tha thought tha'd play thy monkey tricks on me, did ter? (Shouting) ButI'm going to show thee. (He lurches at her threateningly; she recoils)
BLACKMORE(seizing him by the arm)
Here, here,—! Come and sit down and be quiet.
HOLROYD(snarling at him)
What?—What? An' what's thäigh got ter do wi' it? (Shouting) What's thäigh got ter do wi' it?
BLACKMORE
Nothing—nothing; but it's getting late, and you want your supper.
HOLROYD(shouting)
I want nöwt. I'm allowed nöwt in this 'ouse. (Shouting louder) 'Er begrudges me ivry morsel I ha'e.
MRS. HOLROYD
Oh, what a story!
HOLROYD(shouting)
It's the truth, an' you know it.
BLACKMORE(conciliatory)
You'll rouse the children. You'll rouse the children, at this hour.
HOLROYD(suddenly quiet)
Not me—not if I know it.Ishan't disturb 'em—bless 'em.
[He staggers to his armchair and sits heavily.
BLACKMORE
Shall I light the lamp?
MRS. HOLROYD
No, don't trouble. Don't stay any longer, there's no need.
BLACKMORE(quietly)
I'll just see it's all right.
[He proceeds in silence to light the lamp. Holroyd is seen dropping forward in his chair. He has a cuton his cheek. Mrs. Holroyd is in an old-fashioned dressing-gown. Blackmore has an overcoat buttoned up to his chin. There is a very large lump of coal on the red fire.
MRS. HOLROYD
Don't stay any longer.
BLACKMORE
I'll see it's all right.
MRS. HOLROYD
I shall be all right. He'll go to sleep now.
BLACKMORE
But he can't go like that.
MRS. HOLROYD
What has he done to his face?
BLACKMORE
He had a row with Jim Goodwin.
MRS. HOLROYD
What about?
BLACKMORE
I don't know.
MRS. HOLROYD
The beast!
BLACKMORE
By Jove, and isn't he a weight! He's getting fat, must be—
MRS. HOLROYD
He's big made—he has a big frame.
BLACKMORE
Whatever he is, it took me all my time to get him home. I thought I'd better keep an eye on him. I knew you'd be worrying. So I sat in thesmoke room and waited for him. Though it's a dirty hole—and dull as hell.
MRS. HOLROYD
Why did you bother?
BLACKMORE
Well, I thought you'd be upset about him. I had to drink three whiskies—had to, in all conscience—(smiling)
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't want to be the ruin of you.
BLACKMORE(smiling)
Don't you? I thought he'd pitch forward onto the lines and crack his skull.
[Holroyd has been sinking farther and farther forward in drunken sleep. He suddenly jerks too far and is awakened. He sits upright, glaring fiercely and dazedly at the two, who instantly cease talking.
HOLROYD(to Blackmore)
What are thäigh doin' 'ere?
BLACKMORE
Why, I came along with you.
HOLROYD
Thou'rt a liar, I'm only just come in.
MRS. HOLROYD(coldly)
He is no liar at all. He brought you home because you were too drunk to come yourself.
HOLROYD(starting up)
Thou'rt a liar! I niver set eyes on him this night, afore now.
MRS. HOLROYD(with a "Pf" of contempt)
You don't know what youhavedone to-night.
HOLROYD(shouting)
I s'll not have it, I tell thee.
MRS. HOLROYD
Psh!
HOLROYD
I s'll not ha'e it. I s'll ha'e no carryin's on i' my 'ouse—
MRS. HOLROYD(shrugging her shoulders)
Talk when you've got some sense.
HOLROYD(fiercely)
I've as much sense as thäigh. Am I a fool? Canna I see? What'shedoin' here then, answer me that. What—?
MRS. HOLROYD
Mr. Blackmore came to bringyouhome, because you weretoo drunkto find your own way. And this is the thanks he gets.
HOLROYD(contemptuously)
Blackymore, Blackymore. It's him tha cuts thy cloth by, is it?
MRS. HOLROYD(hotly)
You don't know what you're talking about, so keep your tongue still.
HOLROYD(bitingly)
I don't know what I'm talking about—I don't know what I'm talking about—don't I? An' what about him standing there then, if I don't know what I'm talking about?—What?
BLACKMORE
You've been to sleep, Charlie, an' forgotten I came in with you, not long since.
HOLROYD
I'm not daft, I'm not a fool. I've got eyes in my head, and sense. You needn't try to get over me. I know what you're up to.
BLACKMORE(flushing)
It's a bit off to talk to me like that, Charlie, I must say.
HOLROYD
I'm not good enough for 'er. She wants Mr. Blackymore. He's a gentleman, he is. Now we have it all; now we understand.
MRS. HOLROYD
I wish you understood enough to keep your tongue still.
HOLROYD
What? What? I'm to keep my tongue still, am I? An' what aboutMr. Blackymore?
MRS. HOLROYD(fiercely)
Stop your mouth, you—you vulgar, low-minded brute.
HOLROYD
Am I? Am I? An' what are you? What tricks are you up to, an' all? But that's all right—that's all right. (Shouting) That's all right, if it'syou.
BLACKMORE
I think I'd better go. You seem to enjoy—er—er—calumniating your wife.
HOLROYD(mockingly)
Calamniating—calamniating—I'll give you calamniating, you mealy-mouthed jockey: I'll give you calamniating.
BLACKMORE
I think you've said about enough.
HOLROYD
'Ave I, 'ave I? Yer flimsy jack—'ave I? (In a sudden burst) But I've not done wi' thee yet.
BLACKMORE(ironically)
No, and you haven't.
HOLROYD(shouting—pulling himself up from the armchair) I'll show thee—I'll show thee.
[Blackmore laughs.
HOLROYD
Yes!—yes, my young monkey. It's thäigh, is it?
BLACKMORE
Yes, it'sme.
HOLROYD(shouting)
An' I'll ma'e thee wish it worn't, I will. What—? What—? Tha'd come slivin' round here, would ta? (He lurches forward at Blackmore with clenched fist)
MRS. HOLROYD
Drunken, drunken fool—oh, don't.
HOLROYD(turning to her)
What?
[She puts up her hands before her face. Blackmore seizes the upraised arm and swings Holroyd round.
BLACKMORE(in a towering passion)
Mind what tha'rt doing!
HOLROYD(turning fiercely on him—incoherent)
Wha'—wha'—!
[He aims a heavy blow. Blackmore evades it, so that he is struck on the side of the chest. Suddenly he shows his teeth. He raises his fists ready to strike Holroyd when the latter stands to advantage.
MRS. HOLROYD(rushing upon Blackmore)
No, no! Oh, no!
[She flies and opens the door, and goes out. Blackmore glances after her, then at Holroyd, who is preparing, like a bull, for another charge. The young man's face lights up.
HOLROYD
Wha'—wha'—!
[As he advances, Blackmore quickly retreats out-of-doors. Holroyd plunges upon him. Blackmore slips behind the door-jamb, puts out his foot, and trips Holroyd with a crash upon the brick yard.
MRS. HOLROYD
Oh, what has he done to himself?
BLACKMORE(thickly)
Tumbled over himself.
[Holroyd is seen struggling to rise, and is heard incoherently cursing.
MRS. HOLROYD
Aren't you going to get him up?
BLACKMORE
What for?
MRS. HOLROYD
But what shall we do?
BLACKMORE
Let him go to hell.
[Holroyd, who had subsided, begins to snarl and struggle again.
MRS. HOLROYD(in terror)
He's getting up.
BLACKMORE
All right, let him.
[Mrs. Holroyd looks at Blackmore, suddenly afraid of him also.
HOLROYD(in a last frenzy)
I'll show thee—I'll—
[He raises himself up, and is just picking his balance when Blackmore, with a sudden light kick, sends him sprawling again. He is seen on the edge of the light to collapse into stupor.
MRS. HOLROYD
He'll kill you, he'll kill you!
[Blackmore laughs short.
MRS. HOLROYD
Would you believe it! Oh, isn't it awful! (She begins to weep in a little hysteria; Blackmore stands with his back leaning on the doorway, grinning in a strained fashion) Is he hurt, do you think?
BLACKMORE
I don't know—I should think not.
MRS. HOLROYD
I wish he was dead; I do, with all my heart.
BLACKMORE
Do you? (He looks at her quickly; she wavers and shrinks; he begins to smile strainedly as before) You don't knowwhatyou wish, or what you want.
MRS. HOLROYD(troubled)
Do you think I could get past him to come inside?
BLACKMORE
I should think so.
[Mrs. Holroyd, silent and troubled, manœuvres in the doorway, stepping over her husband's feet, which lie on the threshold.
BLACKMORE
Why, you've got no shoes and stockings on!
MRS. HOLROYD
No. (She enters the house and stands trembling before the fire)
BLACKMORE(following her)
Are you cold?
MRS. HOLROYD
A little—with standing on the yard.
BLACKMORE
What a shame!
[She, uncertain of herself, sits down. He drops on one knee, awkwardly, and takes her feet in his hands.
MRS. HOLROYD
Don't—no, don't!
BLACKMORE
They are frightfully cold. (He remains, with head sunk, for some moments, then slowly rises) Damn him!
[They look at each other; then, at the same time, turn away.
MRS. HOLROYD
We can't leave him lying there.
BLACKMORE
No—no! I'll bring him in.
MRS. HOLROYD
But—!
BLACKMORE
He won't wake again. The drink will have got hold of him by now. (He hesitates) Could you take hold of his feet—he's so heavy.
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes.
[They go out and are seen stooping over Holroyd.
BLACKMORE
Wait, wait, till I've got him—half a minute.
[Mrs. Holroyd backs in first. They carry Holroyd in and lay him on the sofa.
MRS. HOLROYD
Doesn't he look awful?
BLACKMORE
It's more mark than mar. It isn't much, really.
[He is busy taking off Holroyd's collar and tie, unfastening the waistcoat, the braces and the waist buttons of the trousers; he then proceeds to unlace the drunken man's boots.
MRS. HOLROYD(who has been watching closely)
I shall never get him upstairs.
BLACKMORE
He can sleep here, with a rug or something to cover him.Youdon't want him—upstairs?
MRS. HOLROYD
Never again.
BLACKMORE(after a moment or two of silence)
He'll be all right down here. Have you got a rug?
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes.
[She goes upstairs. Blackmore goes into the scullery, returning with a lading can and towel. He gets hot water from the boiler. Then, kneeling down, he begins to wipe the drunken man's face lightly with the flannel, to remove the blood and dirt.
MRS. HOLROYD(returning)
What are you doing?
BLACKMORE
Only wiping his face to get the dirt out.
MRS. HOLROYD
I wonder if he'd do as much for you.
BLACKMORE
I hope not.
MRS. HOLROYD
Isn't he horrible, horrible—
BLACKMORE(looks up at her)
Don't look at him then.
MRS. HOLROYD
I can't take it in, it's too much.
BLACKMORE
He won't wake. I will stay with you.
MRS. HOLROYD(earnestly)
No—oh, no.
BLACKMORE
There will be the drawn sword between us. (He indicates the figure of Holroyd, which lies, in effect, as a barrier between them)
MRS. HOLROYD(blushing)
Don't!
BLACKMORE
I'm sorry.
MRS. HOLROYD(after watching him for a few moments lightly wiping the sleeping man's face with a towel) I wonder you can be so careful over him.
BLACKMORE(quietly)
It's only because he's helpless.
MRS. HOLROYD
But why should you love him ever so little?
BLACKMORE
I don't—only he's helpless. Five minutes since I could have killed him.
MRS. HOLROYD
Well, I don't understand you men.
BLACKMORE
Why?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know.
BLACKMORE
I thought as I stood in that doorway, and he was trying to get up—I wished as hard as I've ever wished anything in my life—
MRS. HOLROYD
What?
BLACKMORE
That I'd killed him. I've never wished anything so much in my life—if wishes were anything.
MRS. HOLROYD
Don't, itdoessound awful.
BLACKMORE
Icouldhave done it, too. He ought to be dead.
MRS. HOLROYD(pleading)
No, don't! You know you don't mean it, and you make me feel so awful.
BLACKMORE
I do mean it. It is simply true, what I say.
MRS. HOLROYD
But don't say it.
BLACKMORE
No?
MRS. HOLROYD
No, we've had enough.
BLACKMORE
Give me the rug.
[She hands it him, and he tucks Holroyd up.
MRS. HOLROYD
You only do it to play on my feelings.
BLACKMORE(laughing shortly)
And now give me a pillow—thanks.
[There is a pause—both look at the sleeping man.
BLACKMORE
I suppose you're fond of him, really.
MRS. HOLROYD
No more.
BLACKMORE
Youwerefond of him?
MRS. HOLROYD
I was—yes.
BLACKMORE
What did you like in him?
MRS. HOLROYD(uneasily)
I don't know.
BLACKMORE
I suppose you really care about him, even now.
MRS. HOLROYD
Why are you so sure of it?
BLACKMORE
Because I think it is so.
MRS. HOLROYD
I did care for him—now he has destroyed it—
BLACKMORE
I don't believe he can destroy it.
MRS. HOLROYD(with a short laugh)
Don't you? When you are married you try. You'll find it isn't so hard.
BLACKMORE
But what did you like in him—because he was good-looking, and strong, and that?
MRS. HOLROYD
I liked that as well. But if a man makes a nuisance of himself, his good looks are ugly to you, and his strength loathsome. Do you think Icareabout aman because he's got big fists, when he is a coward in his real self?
BLACKMORE
Is he a coward?
MRS. HOLROYD
Heis—a pettifogging, paltry one.
BLACKMORE
And so you've really done with him?
MRS. HOLROYD
I have.
BLACKMORE
And what are you going to do?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know.
BLACKMORE
I suppose nothing. You'll just go on—even if you've done with him—you'll go on with him.
[There is a long pause.
BLACKMORE
But was there nothing else in him but his muscles and his good looks to attract you to him?
MRS. HOLROYD
Why? What does it matter?
BLACKMORE
What did youthinkhe was?
MRS. HOLROYD
Why must we talk about him?
BLACKMORE
Because I can never quite believe you.
MRS. HOLROYD
I can't help whether you believe it or not.
BLACKMORE
Are you just in a rage with him, because of to-night?
MRS. HOLROYD
I know, to-night finished it. But it was never right between us.
BLACKMORE
Never?
MRS. HOLROYD
Not once. And then to-night—no, it's too much; I can't stand any more of it.
BLACKMORE
I suppose he got tipsy. Then he said he wasn't a married man—vowed he wasn't, to those paper bonnets. They found out he was, and said he was frightened of his wife getting to know. Then he said they should all go to supper at his house—I suppose they came out of mischief.
MRS. HOLROYD
He did it to insult me.
BLACKMORE
Oh, he was a bit tight—you can't say it was deliberate.
MRS. HOLROYD
No, but it shows how he feels toward me. The feeling comes out in drink.
BLACKMORE
How does he feel toward you?
MRS. HOLROYD
He wants to insult me, and humiliate me, in every moment of his life. Now I simply despise him.
BLACKMORE
You really don't care any more about him?
MRS. HOLROYD
No.
BLACKMORE(hesitates)
And you would leave him?
MRS. HOLROYD
I would leave him, and not carethatabout him any more. (She snaps her fingers)
BLACKMORE
Will you come with me?
MRS. HOLROYD(after a reluctant pause)
Where?
BLACKMORE
To Spain: I can any time have a job there, in a decent part. You could take the children.
[The figure of the sleeper stirs uneasily—they watch him.
BLACKMORE
Will you?
MRS. HOLROYD
When would you go?
BLACKMORE
To-morrow, if you like.
MRS. HOLROYD
But why do you want to saddle yourself with me and the children?
BLACKMORE
Because I want to.
MRS. HOLROYD
But you don't love me?
BLACKMORE
Why don't I?
MRS. HOLROYD
You don't.
BLACKMORE
I don't know about that. I don't know anythingabout love. Only I've gone on for a year now, and it's got stronger and stronger—
MRS. HOLROYD
What has?
BLACKMORE
This—this wanting you, to live with me. I took no notice of it for a long time. Now I can't get away from it, at no hour and nohow. (He still avoids direct contact with her)
MRS. HOLROYD
But you'dliketo get away from it.
BLACKMORE
I hate a mess of any sort. But if you'll come away with me—you and the children—
MRS. HOLROYD
But I couldn't—you don't love me—
BLACKMORE
I don't know what you mean by I don't love you.
MRS. HOLROYD
I can feel it.
BLACKMORE
And do you loveme? (A pause)
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know. Everything is so—so—
[There is a long pause.
BLACKMORE
How old are you?
MRS. HOLROYD
Thirty-two.
BLACKMORE
I'm twenty-seven.
MRS. HOLROYD
And have you never been in love?
BLACKMORE
I don't think so. I don't know.
MRS. HOLROYD
But you must know. I must go and shut that door that keeps clicking.
[She rises to go upstairs, making a clatter at the stair foot door. The noise rouses her husband. As she goes upstairs, he moves, makes coughing sounds, turns over, and then suddenly sits upright, gazing at Blackmore. The latter sits perfectly still on the sofa, his head dropped, hiding his face. His hands are clasped. They remain thus for a minute.
HOLROYD
Hello! (He stares fixedly) Hello! (His tone is undecided, as if he mistrusts himself) What are—who are ter? (Blackmore does not move; Holroyd stares blankly; he then turns and looks at the room) Well, I dunna know.
[He staggers to his feet, clinging to the table, and goes groping to the stairs. They creak loudly under his weight. A doorlatch is heard to click. In a moment Mrs. Holroyd comes quickly downstairs.
BLACKMORE
Has he gone to bed?
MRS. HOLROYD(nodding)
Lying on the bed.
BLACKMORE
Will he settle now?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know. He is like that sometimes. He will have delirium tremens if he goes on.
BLACKMORE(softly)
You can't stay with him, you know.
MRS. HOLROYD
And the children?
BLACKMORE
We'll take them.
MRS. HOLROYD
Oh!
[Her face puckers to cry. Suddenly he starts up and puts his arms round her, holding her protectively and gently, very caressingly. She clings to him. They are silent for some moments.
BLACKMORE(struggling, in an altered voice)
Look at me and kiss me.
[Her sobs are heard distinctly. Blackmore lays his hand on her cheek, caressing her always with his hand.
BLACKMORE
My God, but I hate him! I wish either he was dead or me. (Mrs. Holroyd hides against him; her sobs cease; after a while he continues in the same murmuring fashion) It can't go on like it any more. I feel as if I should come in two. I can't keep away from you. I simply can't. Come with me. Come with me and leave him. If you knew what a hell it is for me to have you here—and to see him. I can't go without you, I can't. It's been hell every moment for six months now. You say I don't love you. Perhaps I don't, for all I know about it. But oh, my God, don't keep me like it any longer. Why shouldhehave you—and I've never had anything.
MRS. HOLROYD
Have you never loved anybody?
BLACKMORE
No—I've tried. Kiss me of your own wish—will you?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know.
BLACKMORE(after a pause)
Let's break clear. Let's go right away. Do you care for me?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know. (She loosens herself, rises dumbly)
BLACKMORE
When do you think youwillknow?
[She sits down helplessly.
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know.
BLACKMORE
Yes, you do know, really. If he was dead, should you marry me?
MRS. HOLROYD
Don't say it—
BLACKMORE
Why not? If wishing of mine would kill him, he'd soon be out of the way.
MRS. HOLROYD
But the children!
BLACKMORE
I'm fond of them. I shall have good money.
MRS. HOLROYD
But he's their father.
BLACKMORE
What does that mean—?
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes, I know—(a pause) but—
BLACKMORE
Is ithimthat keeps you?
MRS. HOLROYD
No.
BLACKMORE
Then come with me. Will you? (He stands waiting for her; then he turns and takes his overcoat; pulls it on, leaving the collar turned up, ceasing to twist his cap) Well—will you tell me to-morrow?
[She goes forward and flings her arms round his neck. He suddenly kisses her passionately.
MRS. HOLROYD
But I ought not. (She draws away a little; he will not let her go)
BLACKMORE
Yes, it's all right. (He holds her close)
MRS. HOLROYD
Is it?
BLACKMORE
Yes, it is. It's all right.
[He kisses her again. She releases herself but holds his hand. They keep listening.
MRS. HOLROYD
Do you love me?
BLACKMORE
What do you ask for?
MRS. HOLROYD
Have I hurt you these months?
BLACKMORE
Youhaven't. And I don't care what it's been if you'll come with me. (There is a noise upstairs and they wait) Youwillsoon, won't you?
[She kisses him.
MRS. HOLROYD
He's not safe. (She disengages herself and sits on the sofa)
BLACKMORE(takes a place beside her, holding her hand in both his) You should have waited for me.
MRS. HOLROYD
How wait?
BLACKMORE
And not have married him.
MRS. HOLROYD
I might never have known you—I married him to get out of my place.
BLACKMORE
Why?
MRS. HOLROYD
I was left an orphan when I was six. My Uncle John brought me up, in the Coach and Horses at Rainsworth. He'd got no children. He was good to me, but he drank. I went to Mansfield Grammar School. Then he fell out with me because I wouldn't wait in the bar, and I went as nursery governess to Berryman's. And I felt I'd nowhere to go, I belonged to nowhere, and nobody cared about me, and men came after me, and I hated it. So to get out of it, I married the first man that turned up.
BLACKMORE
And you never cared about him?
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes, I did. I did care about him. I wanted to be a wife to him. But there's nothing at the bottom of him, if you know what I mean. You can'tgetanywherewith him. There's just his body and nothing else. Nothing that keeps him, no anchor, no roots, nothing satisfying. It's a horrible feeling there is about him, that nothing is safe or permanent—nothing is anything—
BLACKMORE
And do you think you can trustme?
MRS. HOLROYD
I think you're different from him.
BLACKMORE
Perhaps I'm not.
MRS. HOLROYD(warmly)
You are.
BLACKMORE
At any rate, we'll see. You'll come on Saturday to London?
MRS. HOLROYD
Well, you see, there's my money. I haven't got it yet. My uncle has left me about a hundred and twenty pounds.
BLACKMORE
Well, see the lawyer about it as soon as you can. I can let you have some money if you want any. But don't let us wait after Saturday.
MRS. HOLROYD
But isn't it wrong?
BLACKMORE
Why, if you don't care for him, and the children are miserable between the two of you—which they are—
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes.
BLACKMORE
Well, then I see no wrong. As for him—he wouldgo one way, and only one way, whatever you do. Damn him, he doesn't matter.
MRS. HOLROYD
No.
BLACKMORE
Well, then—have done with it. Can't you cut clean of him? Can't you now?
MRS. HOLROYD
And then—the children—
BLACKMORE
They'll be all right with me and you—won't they?
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes—
BLACKMORE
Well, then. Now, come and have done with it. We can't keep on being ripped in two like this. We need never hear of him any more.
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes—I love you. I do love you—
BLACKMORE
Oh, my God! (He speaks with difficulty—embracing her)
MRS. HOLROYD
When I look at him, and then at you—ha—(she gives a short laugh)
BLACKMORE
He's had all the chance—it's only fair—Lizzie—
MRS. HOLROYD
My love.
[There is silence. He keeps his arm round her. After hesitating, he picks up his cap.
BLACKMORE
I'll go then—at any rate. Shall you come with me?
[She follows him to the door.
MRS. HOLROYD
I'll come on Saturday.
BLACKMORE
Not now?
CURTAIN
Scene, the same. Time, the following evening, about seven o'clock. The table is half laid, with a large cup and saucer, plate, etc., ready for Holroyd's dinner, which, like all miners, he has when he comes home between four and five o'clock. On the other half of the table Mrs. Holroyd is ironing. On the hearth stands newly baked loaves of bread. The irons hang at the fire.
Jack, with a bowler hat hanging at the back of his head, parades up to the sofa, on which stands Minnie engaged in dusting a picture. She has a soiled white apron tied behind her, to make a long skirt.
JACK
Good mornin', missis. Any scissors or knives to grind?
MINNIE(peering down from the sofa)
Oh, I can't be bothered to come downstairs. Call another day.
JACK
I shan't.
MINNIE(keeping up her part)
Well, I can't come down now. (Jack stands irresolute) Go on, you have to go and steal the baby.
JACK
I'm not.
MINNIE
Well, you can steal the eggs out of the fowl-house.
JACK
I'm not.
MINNIE
Then I shan't play with you. (Jack takes off his bowler hat and flings it on the sofa; tears come in Minnie's eyes) Now I'mnotfriends. (She surveys him ruefully; after a few moments of silence she clambers down and goes to her mother) Mam, he won't play with me.
MRS. HOLROYD(crossly)
Why don't you play with her? If you begin bothering, you must go to bed.
JACK
Well, I don't want to play.
MRS. HOLROYD
Then you must go to bed.
JACK
I don't want to.
MRS. HOLROYD
Then what do you want, I should like to know?
MINNIE
I wish my father'd come.
JACK
I do.
MRS. HOLROYD
I suppose he thinks he's paying me out. This is the third time this week he's slunk past the door and gone down to Old Brinsley instead of coming in to his dinner. He'll be as drunk as a lord when he does come.
[The children look at her plaintively.
MINNIE
Isn't he a nuisance?
JACK
I hate him. I wish he'd drop down th' pit-shaft.
MRS. HOLROYD
Jack!—I never heard such a thing in my life! You mustn't say such things—it's wicked.
JACK
Well, I do.
MRS. HOLROYD(loudly)
I won't have it. He's your father, remember.
JACK(in a high voice)
Well, he's always comin' home an' shoutin' an' bangin' on the table. (He is getting tearful and defiant)
MRS. HOLROYD
Well, you mustn't take any notice of him.
MINNIE(wistfully)
'Appen if you said something nice to him, mother, he'd happen go to bed, and not shout.
JACK
I'd hit him in the mouth.
MRS. HOLROYD
Perhaps we'll go to another country, away from him—should we?
JACK
In a ship, mother?
MINNIE
In a ship, mam?
MRS. HOLROYD
Yes, in a big ship, where it's blue sky, and water and palm-trees, and—
MINNIE
An' dates—?
JACK
When should we go?
MRS. HOLROYD
Some day.
MINNIE
But who'd work for us? Who should we have for father?
JACK
You don't want a father. I can go to work for us.
MRS. HOLROYD
I've got a lot of money now, that your uncle left me.
MINNIE(after a general thoughtful silence)
An' would my father stop here?
MRS. HOLROYD
Oh, he'd be all right.
MINNIE
But who would he live with?
MRS. HOLROYD
I don't know—one of his paper bonnets, if he likes.
MINNIE