D’ ye hear me?

     [They speak in quick low voices.]

Madge.  I hear!  Go, and kill your own mother, if you must.

[Rous seizes her by both her arms.  She stands rigid, with her head bent back.  He releases her, and he too stands motionless.]

Rous.  I swore to stand by Roberts.  I swore that!  Ye want me to go back on what I’ve sworn.

Madge. [With slow soft mockery.] You are a pretty lover!

Rous.  Madge!

Madge. [Smiling.] I’ve heard that lovers do what their girls ask them—­

     [Jan sounds the cuckoo’s notes]

—­but that’s not true, it seems!

Rous.  You’d make a blackleg of me!

Madge. [With her eyes half-closed.] Do it for me!

Rous. [Dashing his hand across his brow.] Damn!  I can’t!

Madge. [Swiftly.] Do it for me!

Rous. [Through his teeth.] Don’t play the wanton with me!

Madge. [With a movement of her hand towards Jan—­quick and low.]
I would be that for the children’s sake!

Rous. [In a fierce whisper.] Madge!  Oh, Madge!

Madge. [With soft mockery.] But you can’t break your word for me!

Rous. [With a choke.] Then, Begod, I can!

     [He turns and rushes off.]

     [Madge Stands, with a faint smile on her face, looking after
     him.  She turns to Mrs. Roberts.]

Madge.  I have done for Roberts!

Mrs. Roberts. [Scornfully.] Done for my man, with that——! [She sinks back.]

Madge. [Running to her, and feeling her hands.] You’re as cold as a stone!  You want a drop of brandy.  Jan, run to the “Lion”; say, I sent you for Mrs. Roberts.

Mrs. Roberts. [With a feeble movement.] I’ll just sit quiet, Madge.  Give Jan—­his—­tea.

Madge. [Giving Jan a slice of bread.] There, ye little rascal.  Hold your piping. [Going to the fire, she kneels.] It’s going out.

Mrs. Roberts. [With a faint smile.] ’T is all the same!

     [Jan begins to blow his whistle.]

Madge.  Tsht!  Tsht!—­you

     [Jan Stops.]

Mrs. Roberts. [Smiling.] Let ’im play, Madge.

Madge. [On her knees at the fire, listening.] Waiting an’ waiting.  I’ve no patience with it; waiting an’ waiting—­that’s what a woman has to do!  Can you hear them at it—­I can!