Her's locked me out. Let me smash that bloody door in. Come out--come out--ussza! (_He strikes a heavy blow on the door. There is a scuffle_) BLACKMORE'S VOICE Hold on a bit--what're you doing? HOLROYD'S VOICE I'm smashing that blasted door in. MRS. HOLROYD (_appearing and suddenly drawing the bolts, flinging the door open_) What do you think you're doing? HOLROYD (_lurching into the room, snarling_) What? What? Tha thought tha'd play thy monkey tricks on me, did ter? (_Shouting_) But I'm going to show thee. (_He lurches at her threateningly; she recoils_) BLACKMORE (_seizing him by the arm_) Here, here,--! Come and sit down and be quiet. HOLROYD (_snarling at him_) What?--What? An' what's thäigh got ter do wi' it? (_Shouting_) What's thäigh got ter do wi' it? BLACKMORE Nothing--nothing; but it's getting late, and you want your supper. HOLROYD (_shouting_) I want nöwt. I'm allowed nöwt in this 'ouse. (_Shouting louder_) 'Er begrudges me ivry morsel I ha'e. MRS. HOLROYD Oh, what a story! HOLROYD (_shouting_) It's the truth, an' you know it. BLACKMORE (_conciliatory_) You'll rouse the children. You'll rouse the children, at this hour. HOLROYD (_suddenly quiet_) Not me--not if I know it. _I_ shan't disturb 'em--bless 'em. [_He staggers to his armchair and sits heavily._ BLACKMORE Shall I light the lamp? MRS. HOLROYD No, don't trouble. Don't stay any longer, there's no need. BLACKMORE (_quietly_) I'll just see it's all right. [_He proceeds in silence to light the lamp. Holroyd is seen dropping forward in his chair. He has a cut on his cheek. Mrs. Holroyd is in an old-fashioned dressing-gown. Blackmore has an overcoat buttoned up to his chin. There is a very large lump of coal on the red fire._ MRS. HOLROYD Don't stay any longer. BLACKMORE I'll see it's all right. MRS. HOLROYD I shall be all right. He'll go to sleep now. BLACKMORE But he can't go like that. MRS. HOLROYD What has he done to his face? BLACKMORE He had a row with Jim Goodwin. MRS. HOLROYD What about? BLACKMORE I don't know. MRS. HOLROYD The beast! BLACKMORE By Jove, and isn't he a weight! He's getting fat, must be-- MRS. HOLROYD He's big made--he has a big frame. BLACKMORE Whatever he is, it took me all my time to get him home. I thought I'd better keep an eye on him. I knew you'd be worrying. So I sat in the smoke room and waited for him. Though it's a dirty hole--and dull as hell. MRS. HOLROYD Why did you bother? BLACKMORE Well, I thought you'd be upset about him. I had to drink three whiskies--had to, in all conscience--(_smiling_) MRS. HOLROYD I don't want to be the ruin of you. BLACKMORE (_smiling_) Don't you? I thought he'd pitch forward onto the lines and crack his skull. [_Holroyd has been sinking farther and farther forward in drunken sleep. He suddenly jerks too far and is awakened. He sits upright, glaring fiercely and dazedly at the two, who instantly cease talking._ HOLROYD (_to Blackmore_)