Part 6 (2/2)

Mother, another cup. Draw up your chairs.

We've not a wedding-party every day At Krindlesyke. I'm ravenous as a squab, When someone's potted dad and mammy crow.

So sit down, Phbe, before I clear the board.

PHBE: Judith, it's time we were getting home.

JUDITH: Home, la.s.s?

I've got no home: I've long been homeless: I ...

PHBE: That much he told me about you: he spoke the truth So far, at least: but I have still a home, My mother will be glad to see me back-- Ay, more than glad: she was loth to let me go; Though, trusting Jim, as she trusted everyone, She said but little: and she'll welcome you, If only for your baby's sake. She's just A child, with children. Unless you are too proud ...

Nay! But I see you'll come. We'll live and work, And tend the bairn, as sisters, we who care.

Come, Judith.

(_She throws the door wide and goes out, without looking back. JIM steps forward to stay her, but halts, bewildered, on the threshold, and stands gazing after her._)

JIM: I'm d.a.m.ned! Nay, la.s.s, I bid you bide: I'd see you straked, before I'd let you go ...

Do you hear, I bid ... The blasted wench, she's gone-- Gone! I've a mind ... If I don't hang for her ...

Just let me get my fingers ... But, I'm bet.w.a.ttled Like a stoorded tup! And this is my wedding-day!

(_He stands speechless; but at length turns to JUDITH, who is gazing after PHBE with an unrealizing stare._)

JIM: Well ... anyway, you'll not desert me, Judith.

Old friends are best: and I--I always liked you.

The other la.s.s was a lamb to woo, but wed, A termagant: and I'm well shot of her.

I'd have wrung the pullet's neck for her one day, If she'd--and the devil to pay! So it's good riddance ...

Yet, she'd a way with her, she had, the filly!

And I'd have relished breaking her in. But you Were always easy-going, and fond of me-- Ay, fond and faithful. Look, how you stood up To her, the tawpy tauntril, for my sake!

We'll let bygones be bygones, won't we, Judith?

My chickens have come home to roost, it seems.

And so, this is my baby? Who'd have dreamt ...

I little looked to harvest my wild oats.

(_JUDITH starts, shrinking from JIM: and then, clutching her baby to her bosom, she goes quickly out of the door._)

JUDITH: I'm coming, Phbe, coming home with you!

(_JIM stands on the doorstone, staring after her, dumbfounded, till she is out of sight; then he turns, and clashes the door to._)

ELIZA: Ay, but it's time to bar the stable door.

JIM: I've done with women: they're a faithless lot.

EZRA: I can't make head or tail of all the wrangling-- Such a gillaber and gilravis.h.i.+ng, As I never heard in all my born days, never.

Weddings were merrymakings in my time: The reckoning seldom came till the morrow's morn.

But, Jim, my boy, though you're a baa-waa body, And gan about like a goose with a nicked head, You've, aiblains, found out now that petticoats Are kittle-cattle, the whole rabblement.

The reesty nags will neither heck nor gee: And they're all clingclang like the Yetholm tinkers.

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