JANE. Put her out and shut the door, George, and that’ll learn the likes of she to come round begging at folks’ houses what’s respectable. GEORGE. ’Tis poor work shutting the door on such as her this night. STEVE. And that ’tis, George, and what’s more, I bain’t a-going for to do it. ’Tis but a few hours to my wedding, and if a dog was to come to me for shelter I’d not be one to put him from the door. JANE. ’Tain’t to be expected as I shall let a dirty tramp bide in my kitchen when ’tis all cleaned up against to-morrow, Steve. STEVE. To-morrow, ’tis my day, Mother, and I’ll have the choosing of my guests, like. [_Turning to_ MAY.] Come you in out of the cold. This night you shall bide fed and warmed, so that, may be, in years to come, ’twill please you to think back upon the eve afore my wedding. [STEVE _stands back_, _holding the door wide open_. MAY, _from the threshold_, _has been looking first on one face and then on another_. _Suddenly her eyes fall on_ ANNIE, _who has moved to_ STEVE’S _side_, _laying her hand on his arm_, _and with a sudden defiance_, _she draws herself up and comes boldly into the room as the curtain falls_. ACT II.—Scene 3. _The same room_, _two hours later_. VASHTI REED _seems to be sleeping as before by the fireside_. _On the settle_ MAY _is huddled_, _her head bent_, _the shawl drawn over her face_. JANE BROWNING _moves about_, _putting away work things_, _cups and plates_, _seeing that the window is closed_, _winding the clock_, _etc._ _There is a tap at the outer door and_ JANE _opens it_. STEVE, ANNIE _and_ DORRY _enter_. JANE. Whatever kept you so late, Steve, and me a-sitting up for to let you all in and not able to get away to my bed? DORRY. O, Gran’ma, it was beautiful, I could have stopped all night, I could. We comed away early ’cause Miss Sims, she said as the dancing gived her the headache, but the New Year han’t been danced in yet, it han’t. JANE. You get and dance off to bed, Dorry, that’s what you’ve got to do—and quickly. DORRY. All right, Gran’ma. Good-night, Miss Sims; good-night, Dad. O, why, there’s Granny! But her’s tight asleep so I shan’t say nothing to her. O, I do wish as there was dancing, and lamps, and music playing every night, I do! [DORRY _goes towards the staircase door_. JANE. [_Calling after her_.] I’m a-coming along directly. Be careful with the candle, Dorry. [JANE _opens the door and_ DORRY _goes upstairs_. STEVE _and_ ANNIE _come towards the fireplace_. STEVE. Was there aught as you could do for yonder poor thing? JANE. Poor thing, indeed! A good-for-nothing roadster what’s been and got herself full of the drink, and that’s what’s the matter with she. See there, how she do lie, snoring asleep under the shawl of her; and not a word nor sound have I got out of she since giving her the drop of tea a while back.