PLAYSintheFOURTHSERIES
ABITO’LOVE
THEFOUNDATIONS
THESKINGAME
ABITO’LOVE
PERSONSOFTHEPLAY
MICHAELSTRANGWAY
BEATRICESTRANGWAY
MRS。BRADMERE
JIMBERE
JACKCREMER
MRS。BURLACOMBE
BURLACOMBE
TRUSTAFORD
JARLAND
CLYST
FREMAN
GODLEIGH
SOLPOTTER
MORSE，ANDOTHERS
IVYBURLACOMBE
CONNIETRUSTAFORD
GLADYSFREMAN
MERCYJARLAND
TIBBYJARLAND
BOBBIEJARLAND
SCENE：AVILLAGEOFTHEWEST
TheActionpassesonAscensionDay。
ACTI。STRANGWAY’SroomsatBURLACOMBE’S。Morning。
ACTII。EveningSCENEI。TheVillageInn。
SCENEII。Thesame。
SCENEIII。Outsidethechurch。
ACTIII。EveningSCENEI。STRANGWAY’Srooms。
SCENEII。BURLACOMBE’Sbarn。
ABITO’LOVE
ACTI
ItisAscensionDayinavillageoftheWest。Inthelowpanelledhall-sittingroomoftheBURLACOMBE’Sfarmhouseonthevillagegreen，MICHAELSTRANGWAY，aclericalcollarroundhisthroatandadarkNorfolkjacketonhisback，isplayingtheflutebeforeaverylargeframedphotographofawoman，whichistheonlypictureonthewalls。Hisageisaboutthirty-fivehisfigurethinandveryuprightandhisclean-shornfacethin，upright，narrow，withlongandratherpointedears；hisdarkhairisbrushedinacoxcomboffhisforehead。AfaintsmilehoversabouthislipsthatNaturehasmaderatherfullandhehasmadethin，asthoughkeepingahardsecret；buthisbrightgreyeyes，darkroundtherim，lookoutandupwardsalmostasifhewerebeingcrucified。Thereissomethingaboutthewholeofhimthatmakeshimseennotquitepresent。Agentlecreature，burntwithin。
Alowbroadwindowaboveawindow-seatformsthebackgroundtohisfigure；andthroughitslatticepanesareseentheoutergateandyew-treesofachurchyardandtheporchofachurch，bathedinMaysunlight。Thefrontdooratrightanglestothewindow-seat，leadstothevillagegreen，andadoorontheleftintothehouse。
ItisthethirdmovementofVeracini’sviolinsonatathatSTRANGWAYplays。Hisbackisturnedtothedoorintothehouse，andhedoesnothearwhenitisopened，andIVYBURLACOMBE，thefarmer’sdaughter，agirloffourteen，smallandquietasamouse，comesin，aprayer-bookinonehand，andintheotheraglossofwater，withwildorchisandabitofdeeppinkhawthorn。Shesitsdownonthewindow-seat，andhavingopenedherbook，sniffsattheflowers。ComingtotheendofthemovementSTRANGWAYstops，andlookingupatthefaceonthewall，heavesalongsigh。
IVY。[Fromtheseat]Ipickedtheseforyu，Mr。Strangway。
STRANGWAY。[Turningwithastart]Ah！Ivy。Thankyou。[Heputshisflutedownonachairagainstthefarwall]Wherearetheothers？
Ashespeaks，GLADYSFREMAN，adarkgipsyishgirl，andCONNIE
TRUSTAFORD，afair，stolid，blue-eyedSaxon，bothaboutsixteen，comeinthroughthefrontdoor，behindwhichtheyhaveevidentlybeenlistening。Theytoohaveprayer-booksintheirhands。
TheysidlepastIvy，andalsositdownunderthewindow。
GLADYS。Mercy’scomin’，Mr。Strangway。
STRANGWAY。Goodmorning，Gladys；goodmorning，Connie。
Heturnstoabook-caseonatableagainstthefarwall，andtakingoutabook，findshisplaceinit。Whilehestandsthuswithhisbacktothegirls，MERCYJARLANDcomesinfromthegreen。Shealsoisaboutsixteen，withfairhairandchina-blueeyes。Sheglidesinquickly，hidingsomethingbehindher，andsitsdownontheseatnextthedoor。Andatoncethereisawhispering。
STRANGWAY。[Turningtothem]Goodmorning，Mercy。
MERCY。Goodmorning，Mr。Strangway。
STRANGWAY。Now，yesterdayIwastellingyouwhatourLord’scomingmeanttotheworld。IwantyoutounderstandthatbeforeHecametherewasn’treallylove，asweknowit。Idon’tmeantosaythatthereweren’tmanygoodpeople；buttherewasn’tloveforthesakeofloving。D’youthinkyouunderstandwhatImean？
MERCYfidgets。GLADYS’Seyesarefollowingafly。
IVY。Yes，Mr。Strangway。
STRANGWAY。Itisn’tenoughtolovepeoplebecausethey’regoodtoyou，orbecauseinsomewayorotheryou’regoingtogetsomethingbyit。Wehavetolovebecauseweloveloving。That’sthegreatthing——
withoutthatwe’renothingbutPagans。
GLADYS。Please，whatisPagans？
STRANGWAY。That’swhatthefirstChristianscalledthepeoplewholivedinthevillagesandwerenotyetChristians，Gladys。
MERCY。Weliveinavillage，butwe’reChristians。
STRANGWAY。[Withasmile]Yes，Mercy；andwhatisaChristian？
MERCYkicksafoot，sidewaysagainstherneighbour，frownsoverherchina-blareeyes，issilent；then，ashisquestionpasseson，makesaquicklittleface，wriggles，andlooksbehindher。
STRANGWAY。Ivy？
IVY。’Tisaman——whu——whu————
STRANGWAY。Yes？——Connie？
CONNIE。[Whospeaksratherthickly，asifshehadapermanentslightcold]Please，Mr。Strangway，’tisamanwhatgoestochurch。
GLADYS。He’astobebaptised——andconfirmed；and——and——buried。
IVY。’Tisamanwhu——whu’sgudeand————
GLADYS。Hedon’tdrink，an’hedon’tbeathishorses，an’hedon’thitback。
MERCY。[Whispering]’Tisn’tyourturn。[ToSTRANGWAY]’Tisamanlikeus。
IVY。IknowwhatMrs。Strangwaysaiditwas，’causeIaskedheronce，beforeshewentaway。
STRANGWAY。[Startled]Yes？
IVY。Shesaiditwasamanwhuforgaveeverything。
STRANGWAY。Ah！
Thenoteofacuckoocomestravelling。ThegirlsaregazingatSTRANGWAY，whoseemstohavegoneofintoadream。Theybegintofidgetandwhisper。
CONNIE。Please，Mr。Strangway，fathersaysifyuhitamanandhedon’thityuback，he’snogudeatall。
MERCY。WhenTommyMorsewouldn’tfight，uspinchedhim——hedidsqueal！[Shegiggles]Mademelaugh！
STRANGWAY。DidIevertellyouaboutSt。FrancisofAssisi？
IVY。[Claspingherhands]No。
STRANGWAY。Well，hewasthebestChristian，Ithink，thateverlived——simplyfullofloveandjoy。
IVY。Iexpecthe’sdead。
STRANGWAY。Aboutsevenhundredyears，Ivy。
IVY。[Softly]Oh！
STRANGWAY。Everythingtohimwasbrotherorsister——thesunandthemoon，andallthatwaspoorandweakandsad，andanimalsandbirds，sothattheyevenusedtofollowhimabout。
MERCY。Iknow！Hehadcrumbsinhispocket。
STRANGWAY。No；hehadloveinhiseyes。
IVY。’TislikeaboutOrpheus，thatyutoldus。
STRANGWAY。Ah！ButSt。FranciswasaChristian，andOrpheuswasaPagan。
IVY。Oh！
STRANGWAY。Orpheusdreweverythingafterhimwithmusic；St。
Francisbylove。
IVY。Perhapsitwasthesame，really。
STRANGWAY。[lookingathisflute]Perhapsitwas，Ivy。
GLADYS。Did’e’aveaflutelikeyu？
IVY。Theflowerssmellsweeterwhenthey’earmusic；theydu。
[Sheholdsuptheglassofflowers。]
STRANGWAY。[Touchingoneoftheorchis]What’sthenameofthisone？
[Thegirlscluster；saveMERCY，whoistakingastealthyinterestinwhatshehasbehindher。]
CONNIE。Wecallitacuckoo，Mr。Strangway。
GLADYS。’Tisawfulcommondownbythestreams。We’vegotonemedderwhere’tissothickalmostasthegoldiecups。
STRANGWAY。Odd！I’venevernoticedit。
IVY。Please，Mr。Strangway，yudon’tnoticewhenyu’rewalkin’；yugoalonglikethis。
[Sheholdsupherfaceasonelookingatthesky。]
STRANGWAY。Badasthat，Ivy？
IVY。Mrs。Strangwayoftenusedtopickitlastspring。
STRANGWAY。Didshe？Didshe？
[Hehasgoneoffagainintoakindofdream。]
MERCY。Ilikebeingconfirmed。
STRANGWAY。Ah！Yes。Now————What’sthatbehindyou，Mercy？
MERCY。[Engaginglyproducingacagealittlebiggerthanamouse-trap，containingaskylark]Myskylark。
STRANGWAY。What！
MERCY。Itcanfly；butwe’regoin’toclipitswings。Bobbiecaughtit。
STRANGWAY。Howlongago？
MERCY。[Consciousofimpendingdisaster]Yesterday。
STRANGWAY。[Whitehot]Givemethecage！
MERCY。[Puckering]Iwantmyskylark。[Ashestepsuptoherandtakesthecage——thoroughlyalarmed]IgaveBobbiethrippenceforit！
STRANGWAY。[Producingasixpence]There！
MERCY。[Throwingitdown-passionately]Iwantmyskylark！
STRANGWAY。Godmadethispoorbirdfortheskyandthegrass。Andyouputitinthat！Nevercageanywildthing！Never！
MERCY。[Faintandsullen]Iwantmyskylark。
STRANGWAY。[Takingthecagetothedoor]No！[Heholdsupthecageandopensit]Offyougo，poorthing！
[Thebirdfliesoutandaway。Thegirlswatchwithroundeyestheflingupofhisarm，andthefreedbirdflyingaway。]
IVY。I’mglad！
[MERCYkicksherviciouslyandsobs。STRANGWAYcomesfromthedoor，looksatMERCYsobbing，andsuddenlyclaspshishead。Thegirlswatchhimwithaqueermixtureofwonder，alarm，anddisapproval。]
GLADYS。[Whispering]Don’tcry，Mercy。Bobbie’llsooncatchyuanother。
[STRANGWAYhasdroppedhishands，andislookingagainatMERCY。
IVYsitswithhandsclasped，gazingatSTRANGWAY。MERCY
continuesherartificialsobbing。]
STRANGWAY。[Quietly]Theclassisoverforto-day。
[HegoesuptoMERCY，andholdsouthishand。Shedoesnottakeit，andrunsoutknucklinghereyes。STRANGWAYturnsonhisheelandgoesintothehouse。]
CONNIE。’Twasn’thisbird。
IVY。Skylarksbelongtothesky。Mr。Strangwaysaidso。
GLADYS。Notwhenthey’mcaught，theydon’t。
IVY。Theydu。
CONNIE。’Twasherbird。
IVY。Hegavehersixpenceforit。
GLADYS。Shedidn’ttakeit。
CONNIE。Thereitisontheground。
IVY。Shemighthave。
GLADYS。He’llp’rapstakemysquirrel，tu。
IVY。Thebirdsang——I’eardit！Rightupinthesky。Itwouldn’thavesangedifitweren’tglad。
GLADYS。Well，Mercycried。
IVY。Idon’tcare。
GLADYS。’Tisashame！AndIknowsomething。Mrs。Strangway’satDurford。
CONNIE。She’s——never！
GLADYS。Isawheryesterday。An’ifshe’stheresheoughttobehere。Itoldmother，an’shesaid：\"Yumindyerbusiness。\"An’whenshegoesintomarketto-morrowshe’mgoin’tosee。An’ifshe’sreallythere，mothersays，’tisafinetu-duan’apraaperscandal。
SoIknowalotmore’nyudu。
[Ivystaresather。]
CONNIE。Mrs。Strangwaytoldmothershewasgoin’toFranceforthewinterbecausehermotherwasill。
GLADYS。’Tisn’t，winternow——AscensionDay。Isawhercumin’outo’
Dr。Desert’shouse。Iknow’twasherbecauseshehadonabluedressan’aproudluke。MothersaysthedoctorcomeoverheretuoftenbeforeMrs。Strangwaywentaway，justaforeChristmas。TheywasoldsweetheartsbeforeshemarriedMr。Strangway。[ToIvy]’Twasyuremothertoldmotherthat。
[Ivygazesatthemmoreandmorewide-eyed。]
CONNIE。FathersaysifMrs。Bradmerean’theoldRectorknewaboutthedoctor，theywouldn’t’aveMr。Strangway’ereforcurateanylonger；becausemothersaysittakesmore’nayearforagudewifetoleaveher’usband，an’’esofondofher。But’tisn’tnobusinessofours，fathersays。
GLADYS。Mothersayssotu。She’spraapersetagainstgossip。
She’llknowallaboutitto-morrowaftermarket。
IVY。[Stampingherfoot]Idon’twantto’earnothin’atall；I
don’t，an’Iwon’t。
[Arathershamefacedsilencefallsonthegirls。]
GLADYS。[Inaquickwhisper]’Ere’sMrs。Burlacombe。
[Thereentersfawnthehouseastoutmotherlywomanwitharoundgreyeyeandveryredcheeks。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Ivy，takeMr。Strangwayhisink，orwe’llnever’evenosermonto-night。He’minhisthinkin’box，but’tisnotabito’yuse’imthinkin’without’isink。[Shehandsherdaughteraninkpotandblotting-pad。IvyTakesthemandgoesout]Whatever’sthis？[Shepicksupthelittlebird-cage。]
GLADYS。’TisMercyJarland’s。Mr。Strangwayletherskylarkgo。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Aw！Did’enow？Serve’erright，bringin’an’eathenbirdtoconfirmationclass。
CONNIE。I’lltakeittoher。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。No。Yuleaveitthere，an’letMr。Strangwayduwhat’elikeswithit。Bringin’abirdlikethat！Well’Inever！
[Thegirls，perceivingthattheyhavelightedonstonysoil，lookateachotherandslidetowardsthedoor。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Yes，yujustbeoff，an’thinkonwhatyu’vebeentoldinclass，an’be’avelikeChristians，that’sgudemaids。An’
don’tyucomenomoreinthe’avenin’sdancin’them’eathendancesinmybarn，naighther，tillafteryu’mconfirmed——’tisn’tright。I’vetoldIvyIwon’t’aveit。
CONNIE。Mr。Strangwaydon’tmind——helikesusto；’twasMrs。
Strangwaybeganteachin’us。He’sgoin’togiveaprize。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。YujustduwhatItellyuan’nevermindMr。
Strangway——he’mtukindtoeveryone。D’yuthinkIdon’tknowhowgellsoughterbe’avebeforeconfirmation？Yube’avelikeIdid！
Now，gooahn！Shoo！
[Shehustlesthemout，ratherasshemighthustleherchickens，andbeginstidyingtheroom。Therecomesawanderingfiguretotheopenwindow。Itisthatofamanofaboutthirty-five，offeeblegait，leaningtheweightofallonesideofhimonastick。Hisdarkface，withblackhair，onelockofwhichhasgonewhite，wasevidentlyoncethatofanardentman。Nowitisslack，weaklysmiling，andthebrowneyesarelost，andseemalwaystobeaskingsomethingtowhichthereisnoanswer。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Withthatforcedcheerfulnessalwaysassumedinthefaceoftoogreatmisfortune]Well，Jim！better？[Atthefaintbrighteningofthesmile]That’sright！Yu’mgettin’onbravely。
WantParson？
JIM。[Noddingandsmiling，andspeakingslowly]Iwanttotell’unaboutmycat。
[Hisfacelosesitssmile。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Why！what’sshebeenduin’then？Mr。Strangway’sbusy。Won’tIdu？
JIM。[Shakinghishead]No。Iwanttotellhim。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Whatevershebeenduin’？Havin’kittens？
JIM。No。She’mlost。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Dearieme！Aw！she’mnotlost。Catsbelikemaids；theymustgetoutabit。
JIM。She’mlost。Maybehe’llknowwhereshe’llbe。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Well，well。I’llgoan’find’im。
JIM。He’sagudeman。He’sverygude。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。That’scertainzure。
STRANGWAY。[Enteringfromthehouse]Mrs。Burlacombe，Ican’tthinkwhereI’veputmybookonSt。Francis——thelarge，squarishpale-blueone？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Aw！therenow！Iknutherewassomethin’onmemind。MissWillisshecameinyesterdayafternunewhenyuwasout，toborrowit。Oh！yes——Isaid——I’mzureMr。Strangway’lllendit’ee。Nowthinko’that！
STRANGWAY。Ofcourse，Mrs。Burlacombe；verygladshe’sgotit。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Aw！butthat’snotall。WhenItukituptherecomeoutawholefluttero’littlebitso’paperwi’littlerhymeson’em，sameasIseeyuwritin’。Aw！mygudeness！Isaystomeself，Mr。Strangwaywidn’wantnooneseein’them。
STRANGWAY。Dearme！No；certainlynot！
MRS。BURLACOMBE。An’soIputt’eminyoursecretary。
STRANGWAY。My-ah！Yes。Thankyou；yes。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。ButI’llgoooveran’getthebukeforyu。
’Twon’ttakeme’alfaminit。
[Shegoesoutontothegreen。JIMBEREhascomein。]
STRANGWAY。[Gently]Well，Jim？
JIM。Mycat’slost。
STRANGWAY。Lost？
JIM。Daybeforeyesterday。She’mnotcomeback。They’veshot’er，Ithink；orshe’mcaughtinoneo’theyrabbit-traps。
STRANGWAY。Oh！no；mydearfellow，she’llcomeback。I’llspeaktoSirHerbert’skeepers。
JIM。Yes，zurr。Ifeellonesomewithout’er。
STRANGWAY。[Withafaintsmile——moretohimselfthantoJim]
Lonesome！Yes！That’sbad，Jim！That’sbad！
JIM。Imiss’erwhenIsitsthanintheavenin’。
STRANGWAY。Theevenings————They’retheworst————andwhentheblackbirdssinginthemorning。
JIM。Sheusedtolieonmybed，yeknow，zurr。
[STRANGWAYturnshisfaceaway，contractedwithpain]
She’mlikeaChristian。
STRANGWAY。Thebeastsare。
JIM。There’splentyfolkain’t’alfasChristianas’erbe。
STRANGWAY。Well，dearJim，I’lldomyverybest。Andanytimeyou’relonely，comeup，andI’llplaytheflutetoyou。
JIM。[Wrigglingslightly]No，zurr。Thank’ee，zurr。
STRANGWAY。What——don’tyoulikemusic？
JIM。Ye-es，zurr。[Afigurepassesthewindow。Seeingithesayswithhisslowsmile：\"’Ere’sMrs。Bradmere，comin’fromtheRectory。\"
[Withqueermalice]Shedon’tlikecats。Butshe’macat’erself，I
think。
STRANGWAY。[Withhissmile]Jim！
JIM。She’malwaystellin’meI’mlukin’better。I’mnotbetter，zurr。
STRANGWAY。That’sherkindness。
JIM。Idon’tthinkitis。’Tislaziness，an’’avin’’erownway。
She’mveryfondof’erownway。
[Aknockonthedoorcutsoffhisspeech。Followingcloselyontheknock，asthoughnodoorswerelicensedtobeclosedagainsther，agrey-hairedladyenters；acapable，broad-facedwomanofseventy，whoseeverytoneandmovementexhalesauthority。Withanodanda\"goodmorning\"toSTRANGWAYsheturnsatfacetoJIM
BERE。]
MRS。BRADMEREAh！Jim；you’relookingbetter。
[JIMBEREshakeshishead。MRS。BRADMERE。Oh！yes，youare。
Gettingonsplendidly。Andnow，IjustwanttospeaktoMr。
Strangway。]
[JIMBEREtoucheshisforelock，andslowly，leaningonhisstick，goesout。]
MRS。BRADMERE。[Waitingforthedoortoclose]Youknowhowthatcameonhim？Caughtthegirlhewasengagedto，onenight，withanotherman，theragebrokesomethinghere。[Shetouchesherforehead]Fouryearsago。
STRANGWAY。Poorfellow！
MRS。BRADMERE。[Lookingathimsharply]Isyourwifeback？
STRANGWAY。[Starting]No。
MRS。BRADMERE。Bytheway，poorMrs。Cremer——issheanybetter？
STRANGWAY。No；goingfast：Wonderful——sopatient。
MRS。BRADMERE。[Withgruffsympathy]Um！Yes。Theyknowhowtodie！[Wideanothersharplookathim]D’youexpectyourwifesoon？
STRANGWAY。II——hopeso。
MRS。BRADMERE：SodoI。Thesoonerthebetter。
STRANGWAY。[Shrinking]ItrusttheRector’snotsufferingsomuchthismorning？
MRS。BRADMERE。Thankyou！Hisfoot’sverybad。
[AsshespeaksMrs。BURLACOMBEreturnswithalargepale-bluebookinherbared。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Goodday，M’m！[TakingthebookacrosstoSTRANGWAY]MissWillie，shesaysshe’mverysorry，zurr。
STRANGWAY。Shewasverywelcome，Mrs。Burlacombe。[ToMRS。
BURLACOMBE]Forgiveme——mysermon。
[Hegoesintothehouse。Thetwowomengrazeafterhim。Then，atonce，asitwere，drawintothemselves，asifpreparingforanencounter，andyetseemtoexpandasiflosingtheneedforrestraint。]
MRS。BRADMERE。[Abruptly）Hemisseshiswifeverymuch，I’mafraid。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Ah！Don’the？Poordearman；hekeepsaterribletight’andover’imself，but’tissuthin’cruelthewayhewalksaboutatnight。He’mjustlikeacowwhenitscalf’sweaned。’T’asgonetome’earttrulytosee’imthesemonthspast。T’otherdaywhenIwentuptoduhisrume，Iyeardanoiselikethis[shesniffs]；an’ther’’ewasatthewardrobe，snuffin’at’erthings。I
didneverthinkamancudcareforawomansomuchasthat。
MRS。BRADMERE。H’m！
MRS。BURLACOMBE。’Tisfunnyrestan’’ecomin’’ereforquietafterthattearin’greatLondonparish！’E’mterribleabsent-mindedtu——
don’ttakenointerestin’isfude。Yesterday，goin’onforoneo’clock，’esaystome，\"Iexpect’tisnearlybreakfast-time，Mrs。
Burlacombe！\"’E’d’adittwicealready！
MRS。BRADMERE。Twice！Nonsense！
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Zurely！Igive’imanummitafore’egetsup；an’
’e’as’isbrekjusreg’laratnine。Mustfeedunup。He’mon’isfeetallday，gain’tozeefolkthatwiddenwanttozeeanangel，they’rethatbusy；an’when’ecomesin’e’llplay’isflutethere。
Hemwastin’awayforwantof’iswife。That’swhat’tis。An’’imsosweet-spoken，tu，’tesapleasuretoyear’im——Neversaysaword！
MRS。BRADMERE。Yes，that’sthekindofmanwhogetstreatedbadly。
I’mafraidshe’snotworthyofhim，Mrs。Burlacombe。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Plaitingherapron）’Tesn’tformetozaythat。
She’maverypleasantlady。
MRS。BRADMEREToopleasant。What’sthisstoryaboutherbeingseeninDurford？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Aw！Iduneveryearnogossip，m’m。
MRS。BRADMERE。[Drily]Ofcoursenot！ButyouseetheRectorwishestoknow。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Flustered]Well——folkwilltalk！But，asIsaystoBurlacombe——\"’Tespaltry，\"Isays；andtheyonlymarriedeighteenmonths，andMr。Strangwaysodevoted-like。’Tesnothingbutlove，with’im。
MRS。BRADMERE。Come！
MRS。BURLACOMBE。There’spuzzivantin’folkas’llsetan’gossipthefeathersoffanangel。ButIduneverlisten。
MRS。BRADMERENowthen，Mrs。Burlacombe？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Well，theydusayashowDr。DesartovertoDurfordandMrs。Strangwaywassweetheartsaforeshewer’married。
MRS。BRADMERE。Iknewthat。WhowasitsawhercomingoutofDr。
Desart’shouseyesterday？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。Inamannerofspakin’’tesMrs。Fremanthatsays’erGladysseenher。
MRS。BRADMERE。Thatchild’sgotaneyelikeahawk。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。’Teswonderfulhowthingsduspread。’Tesn’tasifusgossiped。Duseemtogrow-likeinthenaight。
MRS。BRADMERE[Toherself]Ineverliedher。ThatRivieraexcuse，Mrs。Burlacombe——Veryconvenientthings，sickmothers。Mr。
Strangwaydoesn’tknow？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。TheLordforbid！’Twidsenduncrazy，Ithink。
Forallhe’msomoonyan’gentlelike，Ithinkhe’materriblepassionatemaninside。He’vea-gotasaintin’im，forzure；but’tesonly’alf-baked，inamannerofspakin’。
MRS。BRADMERE。IshallgoandseeMrs。Freman。There’sbeentoomuchofthisgossipallthewinter。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。’Tesunfortunate-like’testheFremans。Fremanhe’magipsysortofafeller；andhe’veneverforgivenMr。Strangwayforspakin’to’imaboutthewayhetrates’is’orses。
MRS。BRADMERE。Ah！I’mafraidMr。Strangway’snottoodiscreetwhenhisfeelingsaretouched。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。’E’vea-gotan’eartsobigasthefullmune。But’tesnoyuseespectin’tumucho’thisworld。’Tesafunnyplace，afterthat。
MRS。BRADMERE。Yes，Mrs。Burlacombe；andIshallgivesomeofthesegoodpeopleararerapovertheknucklesfortheirwantofcharity。
Foralltheylookasifbutterwouldn’tmeltintheirmouths，they’reanun-Christianlot。[LookingverydirectlyatMrs。BURLACOMBE]
It’sluckywe’vesomeholdoverthevillage。I’mnotgoingtohavescandal。IshallspeaktoSirHerbert，andheandtheRectorwilltakesteps。
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Withcovertmalice]Aw！Iduhope’twon’tupsettheRector，an’’isfutesopoptious！
MRS。BRADMERE。[Grimly]Hisfoot’llbesoundenoughtocomedownsharp。Bytheway，willyousendmeaduckuptotheRectory？
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Gladtogetaway]Zurely，m’m；atonce。I’vesomeluv’lyfatbirds。
[Shegoesintothehouse。]
MRS。BRADMERE。Oldpuss-cat！
[Sheturnstogo，andinthedoorwayencountersaverylittle，red-cheekedgirlinapeacock-bluecap，andpinkfrock，whocurtsiesstolidly。]
MRS。BRADMERE。Well，TibbyJarland，whatdoyouwanthere？Alwayssuckingsomething，aren’tyou？
[GettingnoreplyfromTibbyJARLAND，shepassesout。Tibbycomesin，looksround，takesalargesweetoutofhermouth，contemplatesit，andputsitbackagain。Then，inaperfunctoryandverystolidfashion，shelooksaboutthefloor，asifshehadbeentoldtofindsomething。Whilesheisfindingnothingandsuckinghersweet，hersisterMERCYcomesinfurtively，stillfrowningandvindictive。
MERCY。What！Haven’tyoufoundit，Tibby？Getalongwith’ee，then！
[SheacceleratesthestolidTissy’sdeparturewithasmack，searchesundertheseat，findsandpicksupthedesertedsixpence。Thenveryquicklyshegoestothedoor：Butitisopenedbeforeshereachesit，and，findingherselfcaught，sheslipsbehindthechintzwindow-curtain。Awomanhasentered，whoisclearlytheoriginalofthelargephotograph。Sheisnotstrictlypretty，butthereischarminherpale，resoluteface，withitsmockinglips，flexiblebrows，andgreenisheyes，whoselids，squareabovethem，haveshort，darklashes。Sheisdressedinblue，andherfairhairiscoiledupunderacapandmotor-veil。Shecomesinswiftly，andclosesthedoorbehindher；becomesirresolute；then，suddenlydeciding，movestowardsthedoorintothehouse。MERCYslipsfrombehindhercurtaintomakeoff，butatthatmomentthedoorintothehouseisopened，andshehasatoncetoslipbackagainintocovert。ItisIvywhohasappeared。
IVY。[Amazed]Oh！Mrs。Strangway！
[Evidentlydisconcertedbythisappearance，BEATRICESTRANGWAY
pullsherselftogetherandconfrontsthechildwithasmile。]
BEATRICE。Well，Ivy——you’vegrown！Youdidn’texpectme，didyou？
IVY。No，Mrs。Strangway；butIhopedyu’dbecomin’soon。
BEATRICE。Ah！Yes。IsMr。Strangwayin？
IVY。[Hypnotizedbythosefaintlysmilinglips]Yes——oh，yes！He’swritin’hissermoninthelittleroom。Hewillbeglad！
BEATRICE。[Goingalittlecloser，andnevertakinghereyesoffthechild]Yes。Now，Ivy；willyoudosomethingforme？
IVY。[Fluttering]Oh，yes，Mrs。Strangway。
BEATRICE。Quitesure？
IVY。Oh，yes！
BEATRICE。Areyouoldenoughtokeepasecret？
IVY。[Nodding]I’mfourteennow。
BEATRICE。Well，then——，Idon’twantanybodybutMr。StrangwaytoknowI’vebeenhere；nobody，notevenyourmother。D’youunderstand？
IVY。[Troubled]No。Only，Icankeepasecret。
BEATRICE。Mind，ifanybodyhears，itwillhurtMr。Strangway。
IVY。Oh！Iwouldn’t——hurt——him。Mustyugoawayagain？[Tremblingtowardsher]Iwishyuwergoin’tostay。Andperhapssomeonehasseenyu——They————
BEATRICE。[Hastily]No，noone。Icamemotoring；likethis。[Shemovesherveiltoshowhowitcanconcealherface]AndIcamestraightdownthelittlelane，andthroughthebarn，acrosstheyard。
IVY。[Timidly]Peopleduseealot。
BEATRICE。[Stillwiththathoveringsmile]Iknow，but————Nowgoandtellhimquicklyandquietly。
IVY。[Stoppingatthedoor]Mother’spluckin’aduck。Only，please，Mrs。Strangway，ifshecomesinevenaftervu’vegone，she’llknow，because——becauseyualwayshavethatparticularnicescent。
BEATRICE。Thankyou，mychild。I’llseetothat。
[Ivylooksatherasifshewouldspeakagain，thenturnssuddenly，andgoesout。BEATRICE’Sfacedarkens；sheshivers。
Takingoutalittlecigarettecase，shelightsacigarette，andwatchesthepuff’sofsmokewreatheshoutheranddieaway。ThefrightenedMERCYpeersout，spyingforachance，toescape。
ThenfromthehouseSTRANGWAYcomesin。Allhisdreaminessisgone。
STRANGWAY。ThankGod！[Hestopsatthelookonherface]Idon’tunderstand，though。Ithoughtyouwerestilloutthere。
BEATRICE。[Lettinghercigarettefall，andputtingherfootonit]
No。
STRANGWAY：You’restaying？Oh！Beatrice；come！We’llgetawayfromhereatonce——asfar，asfar——anywhereyoulike。Oh！mydarling——
onlycome！Ifyouknew————
BEATRICE。It’snogood，Michael；I’vetriedandtried。
STRANGWAY。Not！Then，why——？Beatrice！Yousaid，whenyouwererightaway——I’vewaited————
BEATRICE。Iknow。It’scruel——it’shorrible。ButItoldyounottohope，Michael。I’vedonemybest。AllthesemonthsatMentone，I’vebeenwonderingwhyIeverletyoumarryme——whenthatfeelingwasn’tdead！
STRANGWAY。Youcan’thavecomebackjusttoleavemeagain？
BEATRICE。WhenyouletmegoouttherewithmotherIthought——IdidthinkIwouldbeable；andIhadbegun——andthen——springcame！
STRANGWAY。Springcameheretoo！Neverso——aching！Beatrice，can’tyou？
BEATRICE。I’vesomethingtosay。
STRANGWAY。No！No！No！
BEATRICE。Yousee——I’ve——fallen。
STBANGWAY。Ah！[Inatwicesharpenedbypain]Why，inthenameofmercy，comeheretotellmethat？Washeoutthere，then？
BEATRICE。Icamestraightbacktohim。
STRANGGWAY。ToDurford？
BEATRICE。TotheCrosswayHotel，milesout——inmyownname。Theydon’tknowmethere。Itoldyounottohope，Michael。I’vedonemybest；Iswearit。
STRANGWAY。MyGod！
BEATRICE。ItwasyourGodthatbroughtustolivenearhim！
STRANGWAY。Whyhaveyoucometomelikethis？
BEATRICE。Toknowwhatyou’regoingtodo。Areyougoingtodivorceme？We’reinyourpower。Don’tdivorceme——Doctorandpatient——youmustknow——itruinshim。He’llloseeverything。He’dbedisqualified，andhehasn’tapennywithouthiswork。
STRANGWAY。WhyshouldIsparehim？
BEATRICE。Michael；Icametobeg。It’shard。
STRANGWAY。No；don’tbeg！Ican’tstandit。
[Sheshakesherhead。]
BEATRICE。[Recoveringherpride]Whatareyougoingtodo，then？
Keepusapartbythethreatofadivorce？Starveusandprisonus？
Cagemeupherewithyou？I’mnotbruteenoughtoruinhim。
STRANGWAY。Heaven！
BEATRICE。Ineverreallystoppedlovinghim。Inever——lovedyou，Michael。
STRANGWAY。[Stunned]Isthattrue？[BEATRICEbendsherhead]
Neverlovedme？Not——thatnight——ontheriver——not————？
BEATRICE。[Underherbreath]No。
STRANGWAY。Wereyoulyingtome，then？Kissingme，and——hatingme？
BEATRICE。Onedoesn’thatemenlikeyou；butitwasn’tlove。
STRANGWAY。Whydidyoutellmeitwas？
BEATRICE。Yes。ThatwastheworstthingI’veeverdone。
STRANGWAY。DoyouthinkIwouldhavemarriedyou？Iwouldhaveburnedfirst！Ineverdreamedyoudidn’t。Iswearit！
BEATRICE。[Verylow]Forgetit！
STRANGWAY。Didhetrytogetyouawayfromme？[BEATRICEgiveshimaswiftlook]Tellmethetruth！
BEATRICE。No。Itwas——I——alone。But——helovesme。
STRANGWAY。Onedoesnoteasilyknowlove，itseems。
[Buthersmile，faint，mysterious，pitying，isenough，andheturnsawayfromher。]
BEATRICE。Itwascrueltocome，Iknow。Forme，too。ButI
couldn’twrite。Ihadtoknow。
STRANGWAY。Neverlovedme？Neverlovedme？ThatnightatTregaron？
[Atthelookonherface]Youmighthavetoldmebeforeyouwentaway！Whykeepmeallthese————
BEATRICE。Imeanttoforgethimagain。Ididmeanto。IthoughtI
couldgetbacktowhatIwas，whenImarriedyou；but，yousee，whatagirlcando，awomanthat’sbeenmarried——can’t。
STRANGWAY。ThenitwasI——mykissesthat————！[Helaughs]Howdidyoustandthem？[Hiseyesdartatherface]Imaginationhelpedyou，perhaps！
BEATRICE。Michael，don’t，don’t！And——oh！don’tmakeapublicthingofit！Youneedn’tbeafraidIshallhavetoogoodatime！
[Hestaysquitestillandsilent，andthatwhichiswrithinginhimmakeshisfacesostrangethatBEATRICEstandsaghast。Atlastshegoesstumblingoninspeech]
Ifeveryouwanttomarrysomeoneelse——then，ofcourse——that’sonlyfair，ruinornot。Buttillthen——tillthen————He’sleavingDurford，goingtoBrighton。Nooneneedknow。Andyou——thisisn’ttheonlyparishintheworld。
STRANGWAY。[Quietly]Youaskmetohelpyouliveinsecretwithanotherman？
BEATRICE。Iaskformercy。
STRANGWAY。[Astohimself]WhatamItodo？
BEATRICE。Whatyoufeelinthebottomofyourheart。
STRANGWAY。Youaskmetohelpyouliveinsin？
BEATRICE。Toletmegooutofyourlife。You’veonlytodo——
nothing。[Hegoes，slowly，closetoher。]
STRANGWAY。Iwantyou。Comebacktome！Beatrice，comeback！
BEATRICE。Itwouldbetorture，now。
STANGWAY。[Writhing]Oh！
BEATRICE。Whatever’sinyourheart——do！
STRANGWAY。You’dcomebacktomesoonerthanruinhim？Wouldyou？
BEATRICE。Ican’tbringhimharm。
STRANGWAY。[Turningaway]God！——iftherebeonehelpme！[Hestandsleaninghisforeheadagainstthewindow。Suddenlyhisglancefallsonthelittlebirdcage，stilllyingonthewindow-seat]Nevercageanywildthing！[Hegivesalaughthatishalfasob；then，turningtothedoor，saysinalowvoice]Go！Goplease，quickly！
Dowhatyouwill。Iwon’thurtyou——can’t————But——go！（Heopensthedoor。
BEATRICE。[Greatlymoved]Thankyou！
[Shepasseshimwithherheaddown，andgoesoutquickly。
STRANGWAYstandsunconsciouslytearingatthelittlebird-cage。
Andwhilehetearsatitheuttersamoaningsound。TheterrifiedMERCY，peeringfrombehindthecurtain，andwatchingherchance，slipstothestillopendoor；butinherhasteandfrightsheknocksagainstit，andSTRANGWAYseesher。Beforehecanstophershehasfledoutontothegreenandaway。]
[Whilehestandsthere，paralysed，thedoorfromthehouseisopened，andMRS。BURLACOMBEapproacheshiminaqueer，hushedway。]
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Hereyesmechanicallyfixedonthetwistedbird-cageinhishands]’TispoorSueCremer，zurr，Ididn’t’ardlythinkshe’dlastthruthemornin’。An’zureenoughshe’mpassedaway！[Seeingthathehasnottakeninherwords]Mr。Strangway——
yu’mfeelin’giddy？
STRANGWAY。No，no！Whatwasit？Yousaid————
MRS。BURLACOMBE。’TesJackCremer。Hiswife’sgone。’E’minaterribleway。’Tesonlyyu，’eses，candu’imanygude。He’minthekitchen。
STRANGWAY。Cremer？Yes！Ofcourse。Lethim————
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Stillstaringatthetwistedcage]Yuain’twantin’that——’tesalltwizzled。[Shetakesitfromhim]Sureyu’mnotfeelin’yer’ead？
STRANGWAY。[Witharesoluteeffort]No！
MRS。BURLACOMBE。[Doubtfully]I’llsend’imin，then。[Shegoes。
Whensheisgone，Strangwaypasseshishandkerchiefacrosshisforehead，andhislipsmovefast。HeisstandingmotionlesswhenCREMER，abigmaninlabourer’sclothes，withathick，broadface，andtragic，faithfuleyes，comesin，andstandsalittleinfromtheeloseddoor，quitedumb。
STRANGWAY。[Afteramoment’ssilence——goinguptohimandlayingahandonhisshoulder]Jack！Don’tgiveway。Ifwegiveway——we’redone。
CREMER。Yes，zurr。[Aquiverpassesoverhisface。]
STRANGWAY。Shedidn’t。Yourwifewasabravewoman。Adearwoman。
CREMER。Ineverthoughttoluse’er。Shenevertoldme’owbadshewas，aforeshetukto’erbed。’Tisadreadfulthingtoluseawife，zurr。
STRANGWAY。[Tighteninghislips，thattremble]Yes。Butdon’tgiveway！Bearup，Jack！
CREMER。Seemsfunny’ergoin’blue-belltime，an’thesunshinin’sowarm。Ipickedupan’orse-shuyesterday。Ican’tnever’ave’erback，zurr。
[Hisfacequiversagain。]
STRANGWAY。Somedayyou’lljoinher。Think！Somelosetheirwivesforever。
CREMER。Idon’tbelieveasthere’safuturelife，zurr。Ithinkwegootosleeplikethebeasts。
STRANGWAY。We’retoldotherwise。Butcomehere！[Drawinghimtothewindow]Look！Listen！Tosleepinthat！Evenifwedo，itwon’tbesobad，Jack，willit？
CREMER。Shewer’agudewifetome——nomandidn’t’avenobetterwife。
STRANGWAY。[Puttinghishandout]Takehold——hard——harder！Iwantyoursasmuchasyouwantmine。Prayforme，Jack，andI’llprayforyou。Andwewon’tgiveway，willwe？
CREMER。[Towhomthestrangenessofthesewordshasgivensomerelief]No，zurr；thank’ee，zurr。’Tesnogude，Iexpect。Only，I’llmiss’er。Thank’ee，zurr；kindly。
[Heliftshishandtohishead，turns，anduncertainlygoesouttothekitchen。AndSTRANGWAYstayswhereheis，notknowingwhattodo。Theyblindlyhetakesuphisflute，andhatless，hurriesoutintotheair。]
ACTII
SCENEI
Aboutseveno’clockinthetaproomofthevillageinn。Thebar，withtheappurtenancesthereof，stretchesacrossoneend，andoppositeistheporchdoorontothegreen。Thewallbetweenisnearlyallwindow，withleadedpanes，onewide-opencasementwhereofletsinthelastofthesunlight。Anarrowbenchrunsunderthisbroadwindow。Andthisisallthefurniture，savethreespittoons：
GODLEIGH，theinnkeeper，asmallishmanwiththickruffledhair，aloquaciousnose，andapple-redcheeksaboveareddish-brownmoustache；isreadingthepaper。TohimentersTIBBYJARLAND
withashillinginhermouth。
GODLEIGH。Well，TIBBYJARLAND，what’veyucomefor，then？Glasso’
beer？
[TIBBYtakestheshillingfromhermouthandsmilesstolidly。]
GODLEIGH。[Twinkling]Ishidzayglasso’’arfan’’arf’saboutyureform。[TIBBYsmilesmorebroadly]Yu’mapraapermasterpiece。
Well！’AvesisterMercyborrowedyuretongue？[TIBBYshakesherhead]Aw，she’aven’t。Well，maid？
TIBBY。Fatherwantssixclaypipes，please。
GODLEIGH。’Edu，du’ee？Yutellyurefather’ecan’t’avemore’none，notthisavenin’。And’ere’tis。Handupyureshillin’。
[TIBBYreachesupherhand，partswiththeshilling，andreceivesalongclaypipeandelevenpennies。Inordertosecurethecoinsinherpinaforesheplacestheclaypipeinhermouth。Whilesheisstillthusengaged，MRS。BRADMEREenterstheporchandcomesin。TIBBYcurtsiesstolidly。]
MRS。BRADMERE。Gracious，child！Whatareyoudoinghere？Andwhathaveyougotinyourmouth？Whoisit？TibbyJarland？[TIBBY
curtsiesagain]Takethatthingout。AndtellyourfatherfrommethatifIeverseeyouattheinnagainIshalltreadonhistoeshard。Godleigh，youknowthelawaboutchildren？
GODLEIGH。[Cockinghiseye，andnotatallabashed]Surely，m’m。
Butshewillcome。Goaway，mydear。
[TIBBY，nevertakinghereyesoffMRS。BRADMERE，orthepipefromhermouth，hasbackedstolidlytothedoor，andvanished。]
MRS。BRADMERE。[EyeingGODLEIGH]Now，Godleigh，I’vecometotalktoyou。Halfthescandalthatgoesaboutthevillagebeginshere。
[Sheholdsupherfingertocheckexpostulation]No，no——itsnogood。Youknowthevalueofscandaltoyourbusinessfartoowell。
GODLEIGH。Wi’allrespect，m’m，Iknowsthevallyofittoyourn，tu。
MRS。BRADMERE。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
GODLEIGH。Ifthereweren’tnoRector’sladytherewidden’benonoticetakeno’scandal；an’ifthereweren’tnonoticetaken，twiddenbescandal，tomythinkin’。
MRS。BRADMERE。[Winkingoutagrimlittlesmile]Verywell！You’vegivenmeyourviews。Nowformine。There’sapieceofscandalgoingaboutthat’sgottobestopped，Godleigh。Youturnthetapofitoffhere，orwe’llturnyourtapoff。Youknowme。See？
GODLEIGH。Ishouldn’neverpresume，m’m，toknowalady。
MRS。BRADMERE。TheRector’squitedetermined，soisSirHerbert。
Ordinaryscandal’sbadenough，butthistouchestheChurch。WhileMr。Strangwayremainscuratehere，theremustbenotalkabouthimandhisaffairs。
GODLEIGH。[Cockinghiseye]Iwasjustthinkin’howtoduit，m’m。
’Twidbeabravenotiontoputtthemeninchokey，andslitthewomen’stongues-like，sameastheyduinoutlandishplaces，asI’mtold。
MRS。BRADMERE。Don’ttalknonsense，Godleigh；andmindwhatIsay，becauseImeanit。
GODLEIGH。Makeyuremindaisy，m’mthere’llbenoscandal-monkeyin’
herewi’mypermission。
[MRS。BRADMEREgiveshimakeenstare，butseeinghimperfectlygrave，nodsherheadwithapproval。]
MRS。BRADMERE。Good！Youknowwhat’sbeingsaid，ofcourse？
GODLEIGH。[Withrespectfulgravity]Yu’llpardonme，m’m，butefan’incaseyuwasgoin’totellme，there’saruleinthis’ouse：
\"Noscandal’ere！\"
MRS。BRADMERE。[Twinklinggrimly]You’retoosmartbyhalf，myman。
GODLEIGH。Awfegs，no，m’m——childinyure’ands。
MRS。BRADMERE。Iwouldn’ttrustyouayard。Oncemore，Godleigh！
ThisisaChristianvillage，andwemeanittoremainso。Youlookoutforyourself。
[ThedooropenstoadmitthefarmersTRUSTAFORDandBURLACOMBE。
TheydofftheirhatstoMRS。BRADMERE，who，afteronemoresharplookatGODLEIGH，movestowardsthedoor。]
MRS。BRADMERE。Evening，Mr。Trustaford。[ToBURLACOMBE]
Burlacombe，tellyourwifethatduckshesentupwasinhardtraining。
[Withoneofhergrimwinks，andanod，shegoes。]
TRUSTAFORD。[Replacingahatwhichisblack，hard，andnotverynew，onhislonghead，abovealongface，clean-shavedbutforlittlewhiskers]What’stheoldgreymarewant，then？[Withahorse-laugh]
’Er’slukin’awfulwise！
GODLEIGH。[Enigmatically]Ah！
TRUSTAFORD。[Sittingonthebenchdosetothebar]Dropo’whisky，an’potash。
BURLACOMBE。[Ataciturn，alien，yellowishman，inawornsofthat]
What’swise，Godleigh？Dropo’cider。
GODLEIGH。Nuse？There’snevernonuseinthis’ouse。Aw，no！Notwi’mypermission。[Inimitation]ThisisaChristianvillage。
TRUSTAFORD。Thoughttheoldgreymareseemedmightybusy。[ToBURLACOMBE]’Tesratherquareaboutthecurate’swifea-cumin’
motorin’thismornin’。Passedmewi’herfaceallsmotheredupinaveil，gogglesan’all。Haw，haw！
BURLACOMBE。Aye！
TRUSTAFORD。Offagainshewasin’alfanhour。’Erdidn’tgivepooroldcuratemuchofachance，aftersixmonths。
GODLEIGH。Havin’anengagementelsewhere——Noscandal，please，gentlemen。
BURLACOMBE。[Acidly]Neveraskedtoseemymissis。Passedmeintheyardlikeastone。
TRUSTAFORD。’Tesalittlebitrumoursomelatelyabout’erdoctor。
GODLEIGH。Ah！he’sthefavourite。But’tesadeadsecret；Mr。
Trustaford。Don’tyuneverrepateit——there’snotacatdon’tknowitalready！
BURLACOMBEfrowns，andTRUSTAFORDuttershislaugh。ThedoorisopenedandFREMAN，adarkgipsyishmaninthedressofafarmer，comesin。
GODLEIGH。Don’tyunevertellWillFremanwhat’etoldme！
FREMAN。Avenin’！
TRUSTAFORD。Avenin’，Will；what’syureglasso’trouble？
FREMAN。Dropo’eider，clove，an’dasho’gin。There’sbloodintheskyto-night。
BURLACOMBE。Ah！We’ll’avefineweathernow，withthefullo’themune。
FREMAN。Dusto’windan’adroportu，virst，Ireckon。’Earlt’
nuseaboutcuratean’’iswife？
GODLEIGH。No，indeed；an’don’tyutellus。We’mChristians’ereinthisvillage。
FREMAN。’Tain’tnoveryChristiannuse，neither。He’ssent’erofftoth’doctor。\"Goan’livewithun，\"’esays；\"myblessin’onye。\"
If’er’da-beenmine，I’d’atukthewhipto’er。TamJarland’smaid，sheyearditall。Christian，indeed！That’sbraveChristianity！\"Gooan’livewithun！\"’etold’er。
BURLACOMBE。No，no；that’s，notsense——amantosaythat。I’llnot’earthatagainstamanthatbidesinmy’ouse。
FREMAN。’Tessure，Itell’ee。Themaidwashid-up，scared-like，behindthecurtain。Atittheywent，andparson’esays：\"Go，\"’esays，\"Iwon’tkape’eefrom’im，\"’esays，\"an’Iwon’tdivorce’ee，asyudon’twishit！\"Theywas’iswords，sameasJarland’smaidtoldmymaid，an’mymaidtoldmymissis。Ifthat’sparson’stalk，’tesfunnyworkgoin’tochurch。
TRUSTAFORD。[Brooding]’Teswonderfulquare，zurely。
FREMAN。TamJarland’sfairmadwi’curateformakin’freewi’hismaid’sskylark。Parsonornoparson，’e’venocalltomeddlewi’
otherpeople’spraperty。Hecam’pokin’’isnoseintomyaffairs。I
toldunIknewasightmore’bout’orsesthan’eeverwould！
TRUSTAFORD。He’mabitcrazy’boutbastesan’birds。
[TheyhavebeensoabsorbedthattheybanenotnoticedtheentranceofCLYST，ayouthwithtousledhair，andabright，quick，Celticeye，whostandslistening，withabitofpaperinhishand。]
CLYST。Ah！he’mthatzurely，Mr。Trustaford。
[Hechuckles。]
GODLEIGH。Now，TimClyst，ifan’incaseyu’vea-gotsomescandalonyertongue，don’tyuneverunshipithere。YugouptoRectorywhere’twillbemorerelished-like。
CLYST。[Wavingthepaper]Willy’givemeadrinkforthis，Mr。
Godleigh？’Tesralefunny。Aw！’tessomethin’swats。Butifulreadin’。Poetry。Ralespice。Yu’vealuv’lyvoiceforreadin’，Mr。
Godleigh。
GODLEIGH。[Allearsandtwinkle]Aw，whatisitthen？
CLYST。Ah！Yuwantt’knowtumuch。
[Puttingthepaperinhispocket。]
[Whileheisspeaking，JIMBEREhasenteredquietly，withhisfeeblestepandsmile，andsitsdown。]
CLYST。[Kindly]Hello，Jim！Catcome’ome？
JIMBERE。No。
[Allnod，andspeaktohimkindly。AndJIMBEREsmilesatthem，andhiseyesaskofthemthequestion，towhichthereisnoanswer。Andafterthathesitsmotionlessandsilent，andtheytalkasifhewerenotthere。]
GODLEIGH。What’sallthis，now——noscandalinmy’ouse！
CLYST。’Tesawfulpeculiar——likeadrame。Mr。Burlacombe’edon’tliketoheartellaboutdrames。Aguessawon’ttell’ee，arterthat。
FREMAN。Outwi’it，Tim。
CLYST。’Tespowerfulthirstyto-day，Mr。Godleigh。
GODLEIGH。[Drawinghimsomecider]Yu’reallwildcat’stalk，Tim；
yu’vea-gotnotaleatall。
CLYST。[Movingforthecider]Aw，indade！
GODLEIGH。Notale，nocider！
CLYST。DidyeeveryeartellofOrphus？
TRUSTAFORD。What？Theoldvet。uptoDrayleigh？
CLYST。Fegs，no；Orphusthatlivedinth’oldtime，an’drawedthebastesafterunwi’hismusic，sameascuratewastellin’themaids。
FREMAN。I’ve’eardasagipsyovertoVellacottcouldduthatwi’
’isviddle。
CLYST。’TwasnogipsyIsee’dthisarternune；’tweeOrphus，downtoMr。Burlacombe’slongmedder；settin’therealldarkonastoneamongthedimsy-whiteflowersan’thecowflops，wi’abirdupon’is’ead，playin’hiswhistletotheponies。
FREMAN。[Excitedly]Yudidneverzeeamanwi’abirdon’is’ead。
CLYST。Didn’I？
FREMAN。Whatsorto’bird，then？Yutellmethat。
TRUSTAFORD。Praaperoldbarndoorcock。Haw，haw！
GODLEIGH。[Soothingly]’Tesavairy-tale；usmustn’tbetupartic’lar。
BURLACOMBE：Inmylongmedder？Wherewereyu，then，TimClyst？
CLYST。Passin’downthelaneonmybike。Wonderfulsorrowful-finemusic’eplayed。Theponiestheydidcomeround’e——yucudzeethetearsrennin’downtheirchakes；’twaspowerfulsad。’E’adn’tno’aton。
FREMAN。[Jeering]No；’e’adabirdon’is’ead。
CLYST。[Withasilencinggrin]Hewentonplayin’an’playin’。Theponiestheynevermuved。An’allthedimsy-whiteflowerstheywavedandwaved，an’thewinditwentover’em。Gav’meafunnyfeelin’。
GODLEIGH。Clyst，yutakethecherrybun！
CLYST。Where’sthatcider，Mr。Godleigh？
GODLEIGH。[Bendingoverthecider]Yu’vea-’adtumuchalready，Tim。
[Thedoorisopened，andTAMJARLANDappears。Hewalksratherunsteadily；amanwithaheartyjowl，andsullen，strange；
epileptic-lookingeyes。]
CLYST。[PointingtoJARLAND]’TisTamJarlandthere’asthecargoaboard。
JARLAND。Avenin’，all！[ToGODLEIGH]Pinto’beer。[ToJIMBERE]
Avenin’，Jim。
[JIMBERElooksathimandsmiles。]
GODLEIGH。[Servinghimafteramoment’shesitation]’Erey’are，Tam。[ToCLYST，whohastakenouthispaperagain]Where’dyugetthiccypaper？
CLYST。[Puttingdownhiscider-mugempty]Yuretongueduwatter，don’tit，Mr。Godleigh？[Holdingouthismug]Nozider，nopoetry。
’Tisamazin’sorrowful；Shakespeareoveragain。\"Theboystudeontheburnin’deck。\"
FREMAN。Yuandyeryap！
CLYST。Ah！Yuwaitabit。WhenIcomebackdownt’laneagain，Orphus’ewasvanishedaway；therewasnaughtinthefieldbuttheponies，an’apraaperoldmagpie，a-topo’thehedge。Izeesomethin’whiteinthebeako’thefowl，soIgiv’a\"Whisht，\"an’
’edropsitsmart，an’off’ego。Igetsoverbankan’picksunup，andhere’tbe。
[Heholdsouthismug。]
BURLACOMBE。[Tartly]Here，give’im’iscider。Radeityureself，yeyoungteasewings。
[CLYST，havingsecuredhiscider，drinksito$。Holdingupthepapertothelight，hemakesasiftobegin，then。slideshiseyeround，tantalizing。]
CLYST。’TesapityIbain’tdressedinawhitegown，an’flowersinme’air。
FREMAN。Readit，orwe’ll’ayeyuouto’this。
CLYST。Aw，don’t’eeshakemynerve，now！
[Hebeginsreadingwithmockheroism，inhissoft，high，burringvoice。Thus，inhisrusticaccent，gothelines]
Godlightedthezunin’eavenfar。
Lightedthevireflyan’thestar。
My’eart’Elightednot！
Godlightedthevieldsfurlambstoplay，Lightedthebrightstrames，’anthemay。
My’eart’Elightednot！
Godlightedthemune，theArab’sway，Helightsto-morrer，an’to-day。
My’eart’E’athvorgot！
[Whenhehasfinished，thereissilence。ThenTRUSTAFORD，scratchinghishead，speaks：]
TAUSTAFORD。’Tesamazin’funnystuff。
FREMAN。[LookingoverCLYST’Sshoulder]Bedanged！’Testhecurate’s’andwritin’。’Twascuratewi’theponies，afterthat。
CLYST。Fancy，now！Aw，WillFreman，an’tyubright！
FREMAN。But’e’adn’tnobirdon’is’ead。
CLYST。Ya-as，’e’ad。
JARLAND。[Inadull，threateningvoice]’E’admymaid’sbird，thisarternune。’Eadorno，andparsonorno，I’llgie’imoneforthat。
FREMAN。Ah！And’emeddledwi’my’orses。
TRUSTAFORD。I’mthinkin’’twasanoldcuckoobird’e’adon’is’ead。Haw，haw！
GODLEIGH。\"His’eartShe’athVorgot！\"
FREMAN。’E’safineonetobetachin’ourmaidsconvirmation。