_Mat_. If I was dressed like her, though, and could get my colour back! But laws! I'm such a washed out piece o' goods beside her! _Sus_. That's as I say, Matilda! It's the dress makes the differ. _Mat_. No, Susan, it ain't. It's the free look of them--and the head up--and the white hands--and the taper fingers. They're stronger than us, and they're that trained like, that all their body goes in one, like the music at a concert. _I_ couldn't pick up a needle without going down on my knees after it. It's the pain in my side, Sue.--Yes, it's a fine thing to be born a lady. It's _not_ the clothes, Sue. If we was dressed ever so, we couldn't come near them. It's that look,--I don't know what. _Sus_. Speak for yerself, Mattie; _I_'m not a goin' to think such small beer of _my_self, _I_ can tell you! I believe if I'd been took in time-- _Mat_. It's a big _if_ that though, Sue.--And then she looked _so_ good! You'd hardly think it of me,--perhaps it's because I'm dying--but for one minute I could ha' kissed her very shoes. Oh, my side! _Sus_. (_putting her arm tight round her waist_). Does that help it Mattie, dear?--a little teeny bit? _Mat_. Yes, Sukey. It holds it together a bit. Will he break her heart too, I wonder? _Sus_. No fear o' that! Ladies takes care o' theirselves. They're brought up to it. _Mat_. It's only poor girls gentlemen don't mind hurting, I suppose. _Sus_. It's the ladies' fathers and brothers, Mattie! We've got nobody to look after us. _Mat_. They may break their hearts, though, for all that. _Sus_. They won't forgive them like you, then, Mattie! _Mat_. I dare say they're much the same as we are when it comes to that, Sue. _Sus_. Don't say _me_, Mattie. _I_ wouldn't forgive him--no, not if I was to die for it. But what came of it, child? _Mat_. I made some noise, I suppose, and the lady started. _Sus_. And then you up and spoke? _Mat_. I turned sick, and fell down. _Sus_. Poor dear! _Mat_. She got me a glass of wine, but I couldn't swallow it, and got up and crawled out. _Sus_. Did he see you? _Mat_. I think he did. _Sus_. You'll tell her, in course? _Mat_. No, Sue; he'd hate me, and I couldn't bear that. Oh me! my side! It's so bad! _Sus_. Let's try for home, Mattie. It's a long way, and there's nothing to eat when you're there; but you can lie down, and that's everything to them as can't sit up. _Mat_. (_rising_). I keep fancying I'm going to meet my father. _Sus_. Let's fancy it then every turn all the way home, an' that'll get us along. There, take my arm. There!--Come along. _Exeunt_. _Slow music. Twilight_. _Enter_ BILL _with a three-legged stool, brushes, etc._ _Bill_. Come! it's blackin' all over! When gents can't no longer see their boots, 'tain't much use offerin' to shine 'em. But if I can get a penny, I will. I _must_ take a tart to Mattie, or this here damaged one (_laying his hand on his stomach_) won't go to sleep this night. _Enter_ WATERFIELD.