THE MAN. Like as not. It takes the lynch pins out, I tell you. THE GIRL. God 'elp us! THE MAN. [Grimly] Ah! We said that a bit too often. What we want we take, now; there's no one else to give it us, and there's no fear'll stop us; we seen the bottom of things. THE GIRL. P'raps he'll say that too. THE MAN. Then it'll be 'im or me. THE GIRL. I'm frightened: THE MAN. [Tenderly] No, Daisy, no! The river's handy. One more or less. 'E shan't 'arm you; nor me neither. [He takes out a knife.] THE GIRL. [Seizing his hand] Oh, no! Give it to me, Jim! THE MAN. [Smiling] No fear! [He puts it away] Shan't 'ave no need for it like as not. All right, little Daisy; you can't be expected to see things like what we do. What's life, anyway? I've seen a thousand lives taken in five minutes. I've seen dead men on the wires like flies on a flypaper. I've been as good as dead meself a hundred times. I've killed a dozen men. It's nothin'. He's safe, if 'e don't get my blood up. If he does, nobody's safe; not 'im, nor anybody else; not even you. I'm speakin' sober. THE GIRL. [Softly] Jim, you won't go fightin' in the sun, with the birds all callin'? THE MAN. That depends on 'im. I'm not lookin' for it. Daisy, I love you. I love your hair. I love your eyes. I love you. THE GIRL. And I love you, Jim. I don't want nothin' more than you in all the world. THE MAN. Amen to that, my dear. Kiss me close! The sound of a voice singing breaks in on their embrace. THE GIRL starts from his arms, and looks behind her along the towing-path. THE MAN draws back against, the hedge, fingering his side, where the knife is hidden. The song comes nearer. "I'll be right there to-night, Where the fields are snowy white; Banjos ringing, darkies singing, All the world seems bright." THE GIRL. It's him! THE MAN. Don't get the wind up, Daisy. I'm here! [The singing stops. A man's voice says "Christ! It's Daisy; it's little Daisy 'erself!" THE GIRL stands rigid. The figure of a soldier appears on the other side of the stile. His cap is tucked into his belt, his hair is bright in the sunshine; he is lean, wasted, brown, and laughing.] SOLDIER. Daisy! Daisy! Hallo, old pretty girl! [THE GIRL does not move, barring the way, as it were.] THE GIRL. Hallo, Jack! [Softly] I got things to tell you! SOLDIER. What sort o' things, this lovely day? Why, I got things that'd take me years to tell. Have you missed me, Daisy? THE GIRL. You been so long.