BELL: Ay: but not mine. What should a tinker’s trollop Do in the house of Michael Barrasford, But bring a blush to his children’s cheeks? God help them, If they take after me, if they’ve a dash Of Haggard blood--for ewe’s milk laced with brandy Is like to curdle: or, happen, I should say, God help their father! MICHAEL: Mother, why should you go? Why should you want to travel the ditch-bottom, When you’ve a hearth to sit by, snug and clean? BELL: The fatted calf’s to be killed for the prodigal mother? You’ve not the hard heart of the young cockrobin That’s got no use for parents, once he’s mated: But I’m, somehow, out of place within four walls, Tied to one spot--that never wander the world. I long for the rumble of wheels beneath me; to hear The clatter and creak of the lurching caravan; And the daylong patter of raindrops on the roof: Ay, and the gossip of nights about the campfire-- The give-and-take of tongues: mine’s getting stiff For want of use, and spoiling for a fight. MICHAEL: Nay: still as nimble and nippy as a flea! BELL: But, I could talk, at one time! There are days When the whole world’s hoddendoon and draggletailed, Drooked through and through; and blury, gurly days When the wind blows snell: but it’s something to be stirring, And not shut up between four glowering walls, Like blind white faces; and you never ken What traveller your wayside fire will draw Out of the night, to tell outlandish tales, Or crack a jest, or start quarrel with you, Till the words bite hot as ginger on the tongue. Anger’s the stuff to loose a tongue grown rusty: And keep it in good fettle for all chances. I’m sick of dozing by a dumb hearthstone-- And the peat, with never a click or crackle in it-- Famished for news. MICHAEL: For scandal. BELL: There’s no scandal For those who can’t be scandalized--just news: All’s fish that comes to their net. I was made For company. MICHAEL: And you’d go back again To that tag-rag-and-bobtail? What’s the use Of a man’s working to keep a decent home, When his own mother tries to drag him down?