Harry (From gate looking over shoulder at Bessie).  He ain’t likely to fly out at me, is he?  I would be afraid of laying my hands on him.  The chaps are always telling me I don’t know my own strength.

Bessie (In front).  He’s the most harmless creature that ever. ..

Harry.  You wouldn’t say so if you had seen him walloping me with a hard leather strap. (Walking up garden.) I haven’t forgotten it in sixteen long years. (Rat-tat-tat twice.) Hullo, Dad. (Bessie intensely expectant.  Rat-tat-tat.) Hullo, Dad—­let me in.  I am your own Harry.  Straight.  Your son Harry come back home—­a day too soon.

(Window above rumbles up.)

Capt.  H. (Seen leaning out, aiming with spade).  Aha!  Bessie (Warningly).  Look out, Harry! (Spade falls.) Are you hurt? (Window rumbles down.) Harry (In the distance).  Only grazed my hat.

Bessie.  Thank God! (Intensely.) What’ll he do now?

Harry (Comes forward, slamming gate behind him).  Just like old times.  Nearly licked the life out of me for wanting to go away, and now I come back he shies a confounded old shovel at my head. (Fumes.  Laughs a little).  I wouldn’t care, only poor little Ginger—­Ginger’s my chum up in London—­he will starve while I walk back all the way from here. (Faces Bessie blankly.) I spent my last twopence on a shave. ...  Out of respect for the old man.

Bessie.  I think, if you let me, I could manage to talk him round in a week, maybe.

(A muffled periodical bellowing had been heard faintly for some time.)

Harry (On the alert).  What’s this?  Who’s making this row?  Hark!  Bessie, Bessie.  It’s in your house, I believe.

Bessie (Without stirring, drearily).  It’s for me.

Harry (Discreetly, whispering).  Good voice for a ship’s deck in a squall.  Your husband? (Steps out of lamplight.)

Bessie.  No.  My father.  He’s blind. (Pause).  I’m not married.

(Bellowings grow louder.)

Harry.  Oh, I say.  What’s up?  Who’s murdering him?

Bessie (Calmly).  I expect he’s finished his tea. (Bellowing continues regularly.)

Harry.  Hadn’t you better see to it?  You’ll have the whole town coming out here presently. (Bessie moves off.) I say! (Bessie stops.) Couldn’t you scare up some bread and butter for me from that tea?  I’m hungry.  Had no breakfast.

Bessie (Starts off at the word “hungry,” dropping to the ground the white woollen shawl).  I won’t be a minute.  Don’t go away.