[_After a pause the door slowly opens and Kezia comes in. She has a basket in one hand and a string bag full of parcels in the other. She looks round, puts her parcels on the table and in the cupboards, pokes the fire, and then takes her basket in her hand again, looks at the clock and goes into the inner room. She comes back with her outdoor garments off and a loose dressing-jacket of white and blue linen over her arm. She goes to a drawer in the table and brings out a little comb and brush and stands thinking._] KEZIA. I'll do my hair down here. He cain't be long, and it's cold upstairs. Gone for tobacco, I suppose, and he'll want his tea when he comes in. [_She puts the kettle on the fire. She undoes her hair, facing audience; shakes it about her shoulders, puts on her dressing-jacket and begins to brush and comb her hair before the fire, and near the settle she bends down and warms her hands, singing a lullaby as she does so. She then stands facing the fire, smiling to herself as she sings. So absorbed is she in her thoughts that she does not see the street-door open and the white, scared face of Joe appear. He puts his hands behind his back when he has softly shut the door, and tip-toes towards Kezia, who never sees him till he has sat down swiftly on the settle, the further corner to where she stands. His left hand, with the cane in it, is not visible to Kezia, as it is hidden by the end of the settle. Tying a large plait on one side of her head--the nearest to him--with pink ribbon, she suddenly turns round and sees him, and their eyes meet. She sits down by him. Kezia's face is very sweet and smiling as she tosses the plait over her shoulder._] KEZIA. Seen a ghost, Joey, my dear, or is it Kezia come to her senses at last, think you? [_Joe does not stir. He gazes at Kezia with a puzzled and tender expression._] JOE. What's come to thee, lass? KEZIA. Guess! [_Kezia clasps her hands behind her head and looks into Joe's face with a happy smile._] JOE. Cain't at all. KEZIA. Come close, sweetheart. [_She draws nearer to Joe, who does not move, and tries to keep the cane hidden. He suddenly draws her close to him with his right arm, and whispers._] JOE. Kezia. KEZIA [_softly_]. Joey, my dear! [_She nestles closer to him and puts her head on his shoulder._] He'll be the dearest little thing a woman ever bore. [_Joe laughs softly, kisses Kezia gently on the eyes, brow, and then month, and holds her closely to him._] JOE. Heaven cain't be more desirable than this. KEZIA. To think there'll be three of us soon. You see now why I've been so teasy lately. Now I'll sing all day long so he'll be a happy boy. [_Joe does not move. He makes furtive attempts to hide the cane behind the settle, and moves a little as he continues to smile at Kezia._]