THE GIRL. I never could. THE MAN. Will you run for it? 'E'd never find us. (THE GIRL _shakes her head._) THE MAN (_dully_). What's the good o' stayin'? The world's wide. THE GIRL. I'd rather have it off me mind, with him 'ome. THE MAN (_clenching his hands_). It's temptin' Providence. THE GIRL. What's the time, Jim? THE MAN (_glancing at the sun_). 'Alf past four. THE GIRL (_looking along the towing-path_). 'E said four o'clock. Jim, you better go. THE MAN. Not I. _I've_ not got the wind up. I've seen as much of hell as he has, any day. What like is he? THE GIRL (_dully_). I dunno, just. I've not seen 'im these three years. I dunno no more, since I've known you. THE MAN. Big, or little chap? THE GIRL. 'Bout your size. Oh! Jim, go along! THE MAN. No fear! What's a blighter like that to old Fritz's shells? We didn't shift when they was comin'. If you'll go, I'll go; not else. (_Again she shakes her head._) THE GIRL. Jim, do you love me true? (_For answer_, THE MAN _takes her avidly in his arms._) I ain't ashamed--I ain't ashamed. If 'e could see me 'eart. THE MAN. Daise! If I'd known you out there I never could 'a' stuck it. They'd 'a' got me for a deserter. That's 'ow I love you! THE GIRL. Jim, don't lift your 'and to 'im. Promise! THE MAN. That's according. THE GIRL. Promise! THE MAN. If 'e keeps quiet, I won't. But I'm not accountable--not always, I tell you straight--not since I've been through that. THE GIRL (_with a shiver_). Nor p'r'aps 'e isn't. THE MAN. Like as not. It takes the lynchpins out, I tell you. THE GIRL. God 'elp us! THE MAN (_grimly_). Ah! We said that a bit too often. What we want, we take, now; there's no one to give it us, and there's no fear'll stop us; we seen the bottom o' things. THE GIRL. P'r'aps 'e'll say that too. THE MAN. Then it'll be 'im or me. THE GIRL. I'm frightened. THE MAN (_tenderly_). No, Daise, no! (_He takes out a knife._) The river's 'andy. One more or less. 'E shan't 'arm you; nor me neither. THE GIRL (_seizing his hand_). Oh! no! Give it to me, Jim! THE MAN (_smiling_). No fear! (_He puts it away._) Shan't 'ave no need for it, like as not. All right, little Daise; you can't be expected to see things like what we do. What's a life, anyway? I've seen a thousand taken in five minutes. I've seen dead men on the wires like flies on a fly-paper; I've been as good as dead meself an 'undred times. I've killed a dozen men. It's nothin'. 'E's safe, if 'e don't get my blood up. If 'e does, nobody's safe; not 'im, nor anybody else; not even you. I'm speakin' sober. THE GIRL (_softly_). Jim, you won't go fightin', wi' the sun out and the birds all callin'? THE MAN. That depends on 'im. I'm not lookin' for it. Daise, I love you. I love your eyes. I love your hair. I love you. THE GIRL. And I love you, Jim. I don't want nothin' more than you in the whole world. THE MAN. Amen to that, my dear. Kiss me close!