BEATRICE.Michael,don't,don't!Andoh!don't make a public thing of it!You needn't be afraid I shall have too good a time!
[He stays quite still and silent,and that which is writhing in him makes his face so strange that BEATRICE stands aghast.At last she goes stumbling on in speech]
If ever you want to marry some one elsethen,of coursethat's only fair,ruin or not.But till thentill thenHe's leaving Durford,going to Brighton.No one need know.And youthis isn't the only parish in the world.
STRANGWAY.[Quietly]You ask me to help you live in secret with another man?
BEATRICE.I ask for mercy.
STRANGWAY.[As to himself]What am I to do?
BEATRICE.What you feel in the bottom of your heart.
STRANGWAY.You ask me to help you live in sin?
BEATRICE.To let me go out of your life.You've only to do nothing.[He goes,slowly,close to her.]
STRANGWAY.I want you.Come back to me!Beatrice,come back!
BEATRICE.It would be torture,now.
STANGWAY.[Writhing]Oh!
BEATRICE.Whatever's in your heartdo!
STRANGWAY.You'd come back to me sooner than ruin him?Would you?
BEATRICE.I can't bring him harm.
STRANGWAY.[Turning away]God!if there be one help me![He stands leaning his forehead against the window.Suddenly his glance falls on the little bird cage,still lying on the windowseat]Never cage any wild thing![He gives a laugh that is half a sob;then,turning to the door,says in a low voice]Go!Go please,quickly!
Do what you will.I won't hurt youcan'tButgo!(He opens the door.
BEATRICE.[Greatly moved]Thank you!
[She passes him with her head down,and goes out quickly.
STRANGWAY stands unconsciously tearing at the little birdcage.
And while he tears at it he utters a moaning sound.The terrified MERCY,peering from behind the curtain,and watching her chance,slips to the still open door;but in her haste and fright she knocks against it,and STRANGWAY sees her.Before he can stop her she has fled out on to the green and away.]
[While he stands there,paralysed,the door from the house is opened,and MRS.BURLACOMBE approaches him in a queer,hushed way.]
MRS.BURLACOMBE.[Her eyes mechanically fixed on the twisted birdcage in his hands]'Tis poor Sue Cremer,zurr,I didn't 'ardly think she'd last thru the mornin'.An'zure enough she'm passed away![Seeing that he has not taken in her words]Mr.Strangway yu'm feelin'giddy?
STRANGWAY.No,no!What was it?You said MRS.BURLACOMBE.'Tes Jack Cremer.His wife's gone.'E'm in a terrible way.'Tes only yu,'e ses,can du 'im any gude.He'm in the kitchen.
STRANGWAY.Cremer?Yes!Of course.Let him MRS.BURLACOMBE.[Still staring at the twisted cage]Yu ain't wantin'that'tes all twizzled.[She takes it from him]Sure yu'm not feelin'yer 'ead?
STRANGWAY.[With a resolute effort]No!
MRS.BURLACOMBE.[Doubtfully]I'll send 'im in,then.[She goes.
When she is gone,Strangway passes his handkerchief across his forehead,and his lips move fast.He is standing motionless when CREMER,a big man in labourer's clothes,with a thick,broad face,and tragic,faithful eyes,comes in,and stands a little in from the elosed door,quite dumb.
STRANGWAY.[After a moment's silencegoing up to him and laying a hand on his shoulder]Jack!Don't give way.If we give waywe're done.
CREMER.Yes,zurr.[A quiver passes over his face.]
STRANGWAY.She didn't.Your wife was a brave woman.A dear woman.
CREMER.I never thought to luse 'er.She never told me 'ow bad she was,afore she tuk to 'er bed.'Tis a dreadful thing to luse a wife,zurr.
STRANGWAY.[Tightening his lips,that tremble]Yes.But don't give way!Bear up,Jack!
CREMER.Seems funny 'er goin'bluebell time,an'the sun shinin'so warm.I picked up an 'orseshu yesterday.I can't never 'ave 'er back,zurr.
[His face quivers again.]
STRANGWAY.Some day you'll join her.Think!Some lose their wives for ever.
CREMER.I don't believe as there's a future life,zurr.I think we goo to sleep like the beasts.
STRANGWAY.We're told otherwise.But come here![Drawing him to the window]Look!Listen!To sleep in that!Even if we do,it won't be so bad,Jack,will it?
CREMER.She wer'a gude wife to meno man didn't 'ave no better wife.
STRANGWAY.[Putting his hand out]Take holdhardharder!I want yours as much as you want mine.Pray for me,Jack,and I'll pray for you.And we won't give way,will we?
CREMER.[To whom the strangeness of these words has given some relief]No,zurr;thank 'ee,zurr.'Tes no gude,I expect.Only,I'll miss 'er.Thank 'ee,zurr;kindly.
[He lifts his hand to his head,turns,and uncertainly goes out to the kitchen.And STRANGWAY stays where he is,not knowing what to do.They blindly he takes up his flute,and hatless,hurries out into the air.]
