Part 2 (2/2)

JUDITH: You thought 'twas Jim?

ELIZA: Jim and ... To think it's you!

Where've you sprung from? It's long since you've shown face In these parts; and we'd seen the last of you, I reckoned, little dreaming--and, least of all, To-day!

JUDITH: And should I be more welcome, then, On any other?

ELIZA: Welcome? I hardly know.

Decent folk don't keep open house for your sort At any time. Your foot's not dirtied that doorstone A dozen times in your life: and then, to come, To-day, of all days, just when Jim ...

(_Breaks off abruptly._)

JUDITH: When Jim?

ELIZA: But, don't stand there. You're looking pale and peaked.

It's heavy, traiking the fell-tracks with a baby: Come in, and rest a moment, if you're tired.

You cannot bide here long: I'm sorry, la.s.s; But I'm expecting company; and you Yourself, I take it, won't be over-eager For company.

JUDITH: I'm tired enough, G.o.d kens-- Bone-weary: but we'll not stay long, to shame you: And you can send us packing in good time, Before your company comes.

(_She enters, and seats herself on a chair near the door. ELIZA busies herself, laying the table for tea, and there is silence for a while._)

JUDITH: And so, Jim's gone To fetch the company?

ELIZA: Ay, Jim has gone ...

(_She breaks off again abruptly, and says no more for a while. Presently she goes to the oven, takes out a griddle-cake, splits and b.u.t.ters it, and hands it to JUDITH._)

ELIZA: Likely, you're hungry, and could do with a bite?

JUDITH (_taking it_): I'm famished. Cake! We're grand, to-day, indeed!

And scones and bannocks--carties, quite a spread!

It's almost like a wedding.

ELIZA: A wedding, woman?

Can't folk have scones and bannocks and singing-hinnies, But you must prate of weddings--you, and all!

JUDITH: I meant no harm. I thought, perhaps, Jim might ...

Though, doubtless, he was married long ago?

(_ELIZA does not answer. JUDITH's baby begins to whimper, and she tries to hush it in an absent manner._)

JUDITH: Whisht, whisht! my little la.s.s! You mustn't cry, And shame the ears of decent folk. Whisht, whisht!

ELIZA: Why, that's no way to hush the teelytoon.

Come, give the bairn to me. Come, woman, come!

(_Taking the child from JUDITH._) I'll show you how to handle babies. There!

JUDITH: And you would nurse my brat?

ELIZA: A bairn's a bairn-- Ay, even though its mother ...

<script>