[_They look at each other; then, at the same time, turn away._ MRS. HOLROYD We can't leave him lying there. BLACKMORE No--no! I'll bring him in. MRS. HOLROYD But--! BLACKMORE He won't wake again. The drink will have got hold of him by now. (_He hesitates_) Could you take hold of his feet--he's so heavy. MRS. HOLROYD Yes. [_They go out and are seen stooping over Holroyd._ BLACKMORE Wait, wait, till I've got him--half a minute. [_Mrs. Holroyd backs in first. They carry Holroyd in and lay him on the sofa._ MRS. HOLROYD Doesn't he look awful? BLACKMORE It's more mark than mar. It isn't much, really. [_He is busy taking off Holroyd's collar and tie, unfastening the waistcoat, the braces and the waist buttons of the trousers; he then proceeds to unlace the drunken man's boots._ MRS. HOLROYD (_who has been watching closely_) I shall never get him upstairs. BLACKMORE He can sleep here, with a rug or something to cover him. _You_ don't want him--upstairs? MRS. HOLROYD Never again. BLACKMORE (_after a moment or two of silence_) He'll be all right down here. Have you got a rug? MRS. HOLROYD Yes. [_She goes upstairs. Blackmore goes into the scullery, returning with a lading can and towel. He gets hot water from the boiler. Then, kneeling down, he begins to wipe the drunken man's face lightly with the flannel, to remove the blood and dirt._ MRS. HOLROYD (_returning_) What are you doing? BLACKMORE Only wiping his face to get the dirt out. MRS. HOLROYD I wonder if he'd do as much for you. BLACKMORE I hope not. MRS. HOLROYD Isn't he horrible, horrible-- BLACKMORE (_looks up at her_) Don't look at him then. MRS. HOLROYD I can't take it in, it's too much. BLACKMORE He won't wake. I will stay with you. MRS. HOLROYD (_earnestly_) No--oh, no. BLACKMORE There will be the drawn sword between us. (_He indicates the figure of Holroyd, which lies, in effect, as a barrier between them_) MRS. HOLROYD (_blushing_) Don't! BLACKMORE I'm sorry. MRS. HOLROYD (_after watching him for a few moments lightly wiping the sleeping man's face with a towel_) I wonder you can be so careful over him. BLACKMORE (_quietly_) It's only because he's helpless. MRS. HOLROYD But why should you love him ever so little? BLACKMORE I don't--only he's helpless. Five minutes since I could have killed him. MRS. HOLROYD Well, I don't understand you men. BLACKMORE Why? MRS. HOLROYD I don't know. BLACKMORE I thought as I stood in that doorway, and he was trying to get up--I wished as hard as I've ever wished anything in my life-- MRS. HOLROYD What? BLACKMORE That I'd killed him. I've never wished anything so much in my life--if wishes were anything. MRS. HOLROYD Don't, it _does_ sound awful. BLACKMORE I _could_ have done it, too. He ought to be dead. MRS. HOLROYD (_pleading_) No, don't! You know you don't mean it, and you make me feel so awful. BLACKMORE I do mean it. It is simply true, what I say. MRS. HOLROYD