JIM: And they lived happy ever afterwards, Eh, lass? Well, mother: I’ve done the trick: all’s over; And I’m a married man, copt fair and square, Coupled to Phœbe: and I’ve brought her home. You call the lass to mind, though you look moidart? What’s dozzened you? She’ll find her wits soon, Phœbe: They’re in a mullock, all turned howthery-towthery At the notion of a new mistress at Krindlesyke-- She’ll come to her senses soon, and bid you welcome. Take off your bonnet; and make yourself at home. I trust tea’s ready, mother: I’m fairly famished. I’ve hardly had a bite, and not a sup To wet my whistle since forenoon: and dod! But getting married is gey hungry work. I’m hollow as a kex in a ditch-bottom: And just as dry as Molly Miller’s milkpail She bought, on the chance of borrowing a cow. Eh, Phœbe, lass! But you’ve stopped laughing, have you? And you look fleyed: there’s nothing here to scare you: We’re quiet folk at Krindlesyke. Come, mother, Have you no word of welcome for the lass, That you gape like a foundered ewe at us? What ghost Has given you a gliff, and set you chittering? Come, shake yourself, before I rax your bones; And give my bride the welcome due to her-- My bride, the lady I have made my wife. Poor lass, she’s quaking like a dothery-dick. ELIZA (_to PHŒBE_): Daughter, may you ... EZRA (_crooning, unseen, to the baby_): “Dance for your mammy, Dance for your daddy ...” JIM: What ails the old runt now? You mustn’t heed him, Phœbe, lass: he’s blind And old and watty: but there’s no harm in him. (_Goes towards settle._) Come, dad, and jog your wits, and stir your stumps, And welcome ... What the devil’s this? Whose brat ... EZRA: Whose brat? And who should ken--although they say, It’s a wise father knows his own child. Ay! If he’s the devil, you’re the devil’s brat, And I’m the devil’s daddy. Happen you came Before the parson had time to read the prayers. But, he’s a rum dad ... (_JUDITH ELLERSHAW steps forward to take the child from EZRA._) JIM: Judith Ellershaw! Why, lass, where ever have ... (_He steps towards her, then stops in confusion. Nobody speaks as JUDITH goes towards the settle, takes the child from EZRA, and wraps it in her shawl. She is moving to the door when PHŒBE steps before her and closes it, then turns and faces JUDITH._) PHŒBE: You shall not go. JUDITH: And who are you to stop me? Come, make way-- Come, woman, let me pass. PHŒBE: I--I’m Jim’s bride. JUDITH: And what should Jim’s bride have to say to me? Come, let me by. PHŒBE: You shall not go.