What, what--I'm what? I'll show you who's gaffer, though. (_He threatens her_) MRS. HOLROYD (_between her teeth_) No, it's not going on. If _you_ won't go, I will. HOLROYD Go then, for you've always been too big for your shoes, in my house-- MRS. HOLROYD Yes--I ought never to have looked at you. Only you showed a fair face then. HOLROYD What! What! We'll see who's master i' this house. I tell you, I'm goin' to put a stop to it. (_He brings his fist dawn on the table with a bang_) It's going to stop. (_He bangs the table again_) I've put up with it long enough. Do you think I'm a dog in the house, an' not a man, do you-- MRS. HOLROYD A dog would be better. HOLROYD Oh! Oh! Then we'll see. We'll see who's the dog and who isna. We're goin' to see. (_He bangs the table_) MRS. HOLROYD Stop thumping that table! You've wakened those children once, you and your trollops. HOLROYD I shall do what the deuce I like! MRS. HOLROYD No more, you won't, no more. I've stood this long enough. Now I'm going. As for you--you've got a red face where she slapped you. Now go to her. HOLROYD What? What? MRS. HOLROYD For I'm sick of the sights and sounds of you. HOLROYD (_bitterly_) By God, an' I've known it a long time. MRS. HOLROYD You have, and it's true. HOLROYD An' I know who it is th'rt hankerin' after. MRS. HOLROYD I only want to be rid of you. HOLROYD I know it mighty well. But _I_ know him! [_Mrs. Holroyd, sinking down on the sofa, suddenly begins to sob half-hysterically. Holroyd watches her. As suddenly, she dries her eyes._ MRS. HOLROYD Do you think I care about what you say? (_Suddenly_) Oh, I've had enough. I've tried, I've tried for years, for the children's sakes. Now I've had enough of your shame and disgrace. HOLROYD Oh, indeed! MRS. HOLROYD (_her voice is dull and inflexible_) I've had enough. Go out again after those trollops--leave me alone. I've had enough. (_Holroyd stands looking at her_) Go, I mean it, go out again. And if you never come back again, I'm glad. I've had enough. (_She keeps her face averted, will not look at him, her attitude expressing thorough weariness_) HOLROYD All right then! [_He hobbles, in unlaced boots, to the door. Then he turns to look at her. She turns herself still farther away, so that her back is toward him. He goes._ CURTAIN THE SECOND ACT _The scene is the same, two hours later. The cottage is in darkness, save for the firelight. On the table is spread a newspaper. A cup and saucer, a plate, a piece of bacon in the frying tin are on the newspaper ready for the miner's breakfast. Mrs. Holroyd has gone to bed. There is a noise of heavy stumbling down the three steps outside._ BLACKMORE'S VOICE Steady, now, steady. It's all in darkness. Missis!--Has she gone to bed? [_He tries the latch--shakes the door._ HOLROYD'S VOICE (_he is drunk_)