SARAH. Aye. It's a 'ard life, the factory 'and's. A can mind me many an' many's the time when th' warnin' bell went on th' factory lodge at ha'f past five of a winter's mornin' as A've craved for another ha'f hour in my bed, but Tom 'e got me oop an' we was never after six passin' through factory gates all th' years we were wed. There's not many as can say they were never late. "Work or clem," that were what Tom allays tould me th' ould bell were sayin'. An' 'e were reeght, Emma. "Work or clem" is God's truth. (EMMA'S _head in box._) An' now th' time's coom when A can't work no more. But Parson's a good man, 'e'll mak' it all reeght. (EMMA'S _head appears._) Eh, it were good o' thee to coom in, lass. A bit o' coompany do mak' a world o' difference. A'm twice as cheerful as A were. EMMA. A'm glad to 'ear tha say so, Mrs. Ormerod. (_Rises from the box._) Is theer owt else? SARAH. A were thinkin' A'd like to tak' my black silk as A've worn o' Sundays this many a year, but A canna think it's reeght thing for workus. EMMA. Oh, thee tak' it, Mrs. Ormerod. SARAH. A'd dearly love to. Tha sees A'm noan in debt, nobbut what chairs an table 'ull payfor, and A doan't like thowt o' leaving owt as A'm greatly fond of. EMMA. Yo doan't, Mrs. Ormerod. Thee tak' it. Wheer is it? A'll put un in. Theer's lots o'room on top. A'll see un's noan crushed. SARAH. It's hanging theer behind door. (EMMA _crosses back to door, gets clothes._) A got un out to show Parson. A thowt A'd ask un if it were proper to tak' it if A've to go. My best bonnet's with it, an' all. (EMMA _goes below table, takes the frock and bonnet, folds it on the table, and packs it._) EMMA. A'll put un in. SARAH. A'm being a lot o' trouble to thee, lass. EMMA. That's nowt; neighbors mun be neighborly. (_Gets bonnet from table and packs it._) SARAH (_after a pause, looking round_). Place doan't look much, an' that's a fact. Th' furniture's bin goin' bit by bit, and theer ain't much left to part wi' now. EMMA. Never mind; it 'ull be all reeght now Parson's takken thee oop. SARAH. A'm hopin' so. A _am_ hopin' so. A never could abide th' thowt o' th' workus--me as 'as bin an 'ard-workin' woman. A couldn't fancy sleepin' in a strange bed wi' strange folk round me, an' when th' Matron said, "Do that," A'd 'ave to do it, an' when she said, "Go theer," A'd 'ave to a' gone wheer she tould me--me as 'as allays 'eld my yead 'igh an' gone the way A pleased masel'. Eh, it's a terrible thowt, the workus. EMMA (_rising_). Now tha's sure that's all? SARAH (_after a pause, considers_). Eh, if A havna forgot my neeghtcaps. (_Rises, moves centre and stops._) A suppose they'll let me wear un in yonder. A doan't reeghtly think as A'd get my rest proper wi'out my neeghtcaps. EMMA. Oh, they'll let thee wear un all reeght. SARAH (_as she goes_). A'll go an' get un. (_Exit right, returning presently with the white nightcaps._) That's all now. (_Gives them to_ EMMA _who meets her at centre._)