BILL [with conviction] Not ME. Not likely. Not arf. BARBARA. That's right, Bill. Hold out against it. Put out your strength. Don't let's get you cheap. Todger Fairmile said he wrestled for three nights against his Salvation harder than he ever wrestled with the Jap at the music hall. He gave in to the Jap when his arm was going to break. But he didn't give in to his salvation until his heart was going to break. Perhaps you'll escape that. You haven't any heart, have you? BILL. Wot dye mean? Wy ain't I got a art the same as ennybody else? BARBARA. A man with a heart wouldn't have bashed poor little Jenny's face, would he? BILL [almost crying] Ow, will you lea me alown? Av I ever offered to meddle with you, that you come noggin and provowkin me lawk this? [He writhes convulsively from his eyes to his toes]. BARBARA [with a steady soothing hand on his arm and a gentle voice that never lets him go] It's your soul that's hurting you, Bill, and not me. We've been through it all ourselves. Come with us, Bill. [He looks wildly round]. To brave manhood on earth and eternal glory in heaven. [He is on the point of breaking down]. Come. [A drum is heard in the shelter; and Bill, with a gasp, escapes from the spell as Barbara turns quickly. Adolphus enters from the shelter with a big drum]. Oh! there you are, Dolly. Let me introduce a new friend of mine, Mr Bill Walker. This is my bloke, Bill: Mr Cusins. [Cusins salutes with his drumstick]. BILL. Goin to marry im? BARBARA. Yes. BILL [fervently] Gawd elp im! Gawd elp im! BARBARA. Why? Do you think he won't be happy with me? BILL. I've only ad to stand it for a mornin: e'll av to stand it for a lifetime. CUSINS. That is a frightful reflection, Mr Walker. But I can't tear myself away from her. BILL. Well, I can. [To Barbara] Eah! do you know where I'm goin to, and wot I'm goin to do? BARBARA. Yes: you're going to heaven; and you're coming back here before the week's out to tell me so. BILL. You lie. I'm goin to Kennintahn, to spit in Todger Fairmile's eye. I bashed Jenny Ill's face; and now I'll get me own face bashed and come back and show it to er. E'll it me ardern I it er. That'll make us square. [To Adolphus] Is that fair or is it not? You're a genlmn: you oughter know. BARBARA. Two black eyes wont make one white one, Bill. BILL. I didn't ast you. Cawn't you never keep your mahth shut? I ast the genlmn. CUSINS [reflectively] Yes: I think you're right, Mr Walker. Yes: I should do it. It's curious: it's exactly what an ancient Greek would have done. BARBARA. But what good will it do? CUSINS. Well, it will give Mr Fairmile some exercise; and it will satisfy Mr Walker's soul. BILL. Rot! there ain't no sach a thing as a soul. Ah kin you tell wether I've a soul or not? You never seen it. BARBARA. I've seen it hurting you when you went against it.