JAMIE. I didn't think it would be for all night! HILDA [_sticking to the point_]. Well you did suggest it, didn't you? JAMIE [_jerking his head_]. Oh, I suppose so! [_He sits with his elbows on his knees, his chin in his hands, and gazes at the rising light._] HILDA. I'm just as tired as you are. JAMIE [_sneeringly_]. Yes, I've no doubt! HILDA [_hopelessly_]. Oh, Jamie! JAMIE [_with a fiendishly sarcastic grin that she doesn't see between her fingers_]. And you're catching cold, too. HILDA [_recovering_]. Why, I'm not either; what makes you say that? JAMIE [_with withering sarcasm_]. Oh, aren't you? I thought you were--by the sniffles! HILDA [_with some return of her former spirit_]. You're a mean, horrid, old thing, just as mean and horrid as you can be; and I'll never speak to you again as long as I live! JAMIE [_significantly_]. Oh, I guess you will. HILDA. Well, I won't. JAMIE [_gleefully_]. There, didn't I tell you you would? HILDA. Well, I won't again. JAMIE. Oh, you won't, eh? HILDA. [_No answer._] JAMIE. So that's it, is it? HILDA. [_Still no answer._] JAMIE [_shrugging his shoulders_]. Oh, very well; just as you like! [_How fortunate for the sympathetic man in the moon that he's not here to see. Now, the eastern sky shows a tinge of pale gray, shading into light violet. Here and there a bird lifts its voice; the notes are taken up and passed along as sentries pass the call for the corporal of the guard. From afar comes the jangle of metal, and the bell of an early milkman clangs. A sleepy girl issues from the back door of the two-story house across the street. A canvas-covered wagon drawn by two horses lumbers past._] HILDA [_rising and indicating the basket with dignity_]. Hug! JAMIE [_passing it to her_]. Where you going? HILDA [_after a moment's hesitation_]. I'm going to wake up the girl. JAMIE [_attempting to restrain her_]. Oh, don't do that; I'm very sorry---- HILDA [_icily_]. There's no need of your being sorry, at all. JAMIE. But I---- HILDA [_with arctic frigidity_]. It is quite unnecessary for us to say anything further about it, I think. JAMIE [_pleading_]. Won't you forgive me? HILDA. [_For answer she tosses her head._] JAMIE [_in the same tone as before_]. Won't you--Hilda? HILDA. [_Still no reply. She stands at his side holding the basket, not deigning even to look down at him._] JAMIE. What are you thinking, dear? Tell me! HILDA. Oh, nothing of much consequence; only just how mean you have been and---- JAMIE [_interposing_]. But I've asked you to---- HILDA. If I'm not mistaken I've said there is no use of our talking further about it. JAMIE [_rising as she turns_]. Then you won't say anything to me? HILDA. I don't think there is anything to be said. JAMIE [_with dogged resignation_]. Very well, then--Hush! [_From the other porch comes the sound of light footfalls._]