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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。