An' would my father stop here? MRS. HOLROYD Oh, he'd be all right. MINNIE But who would he live with? MRS. HOLROYD I don't know--one of his paper bonnets, if he likes. MINNIE Then she could have her old bracelet back, couldn't she? MRS. HOLROYD Yes--there it is on the candlestick, waiting for her. [_There is a sound of footsteps--then a knock at the door. The children start._ MINNIE (_in relief_) Here he is. [_Mrs. Holroyd goes to the door. Blackmore enters._ BLACKMORE It is foggy to-night--Hello, aren't you youngsters gone to bed? MINNIE No, my father's not come home yet. BLACKMORE (_turning to Mrs. Holroyd_) Did he go to work then, after last night? MRS. HOLROYD I suppose so. His pit things were gone when I got up. I never thought he'd go. BLACKMORE And he took his snap as usual? MRS. HOLROYD Yes, just as usual. I suppose he's gone to the New Inn. He'd say to himself he'd pay me out. That's what he always does say, "I'll pay thee out for that bit--I'll ma'e thee regret it." JACK We're going to leave him. BLACKMORE So you think he's at the New Inn? MRS. HOLROYD I'm sure he is--and he'll come when he's full. He'll have a bout now, you'll see. MINNIE Go and fetch him, Mr. Blackmore. JACK My mother says we shall go in a ship and leave him. BLACKMORE (_after looking keenly at Jack: to Mrs. Holroyd_) Shall I go and see if he's at the New Inn? MRS. HOLROYD No--perhaps you'd better not-- BLACKMORE Oh, he shan't see me. I can easily manage that. JACK Fetch him, Mr. Blackmore. BLACKMORE All right, Jack. (_To Mrs. Holroyd_) Shall I? MRS. HOLROYD We're always pulling on you--But yes, do! [_Blackmore goes out._ JACK I wonder how long he'll be. MRS. HOLROYD You come and go to bed now: you'd better be out of the way when he comes in. MINNIE And you won't say anything to him, mother, will you? MRS. HOLROYD What do you mean? MINNIE You won't begin of him--row him. MRS. HOLROYD Is he to have all his own way? What _would_ he be like, if I didn't row him? JACK But it doesn't matter, mother, if we're going to leave him-- MINNIE But Mr. Blackmore'll come back, won't he, mam, and dad won't shout before him? MRS. HOLROYD (_beginning to undress the children_) Yes, he'll come back. MINNIE Mam--could I have that bracelet to go to bed with? MRS. HOLROYD Come and say your prayers. [_They kneel, muttering in their mother's apron._ MINNIE (_suddenly lifting her head_) Can I, mam? MRS. HOLROYD (_trying to be stern_) Have you finished your prayers? MINNIE Yes. MRS. HOLROYD If you want it--beastly thing! (_She reaches the bracelet down from the mantelpiece_) Your father must have put it up there--I don't know where I left it. I suppose he'd think I was proud of it and wanted it for an ornament.