ROUS. [Who has a fierce distracted look.] Madge! I'm going to the meeting. [MADGE, without moving, smiles contemptuously.] 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! [JAN begins again to play his whistle; MADGE gets up; half tenderly she ruffles his hair; then, sitting, leans her elbows on the table, and her chin on her hands. Behind her, on MRS. ROBERTS'S face the smile has changed to horrified surprise. She makes a sudden movement, sitting forward, pressing her hands against her breast. Then slowly she sinks' back; slowly her face loses the look of pain, the smile returns. She fixes her eyes again on JAN, and moves her lips and finger to the tune.] The curtain falls. SCENE II