That roller-towel's ever so dirty. I'll get you another. (_She goes to a drawer in the dresser, and then back toward the scullery, where is a sound of water_) BLACKMORE Why, bless my life, I'm a lot dirtier than the towel. I don't want another. MRS. HOLROYD (_going into the scullery_) Here you are. BLACKMORE (_softly, now she is near him_) Why did you trouble now? Pride, you know, pride, nothing else. MRS. HOLROYD (_also playful_) It's nothing but decency. BLACKMORE (_softly_) Pride, pride, pride! [_A child of eight suddenly appears in the doorway._ JACK Oo, how dark! MRS. HOLROYD (_hurrying agitated into the kitchen_) Why, where have you been--what have you been doing now? JACK (SURPRISED) Why--I've only been out to play. MRS. HOLROYD (_still sharply_) And where's Minnie? [_A little girl of six appears by the door._ MINNIE I'm here, mam, and what do you think--? MRS. HOLROYD (_softening, as she recovers equanimity_) Well, and what should I think? JACK Oh, yes, mam--you know my father--? MRS. HOLROYD (_ironically_) I should hope so. MINNIE We saw him dancing, mam, with a paper bonnet. MRS. HOLROYD What--? JACK There's some women at "New Inn," what's come from Nottingham-- MINNIE An' he's dancin' with the pink one. JACK Shut up our Minnie. An' they've got paper bonnets on-- MINNIE All colors, mam! JACK (_getting angry_) Shut up our Minnie! An' my dad's dancing with her. MINNIE With the pink-bonnet one, mam. JACK Up in the club-room over the bar. MINNIE An' she's a lot littler than him, mam. JACK (_piteously_) Shut up our Minnie--An' you can see 'em go past the window, 'cause there isn't no curtains up, an' my father's got the pink bonnet one-- MINNIE An' there's a piano, mam-- JACK An' lots of folks outside watchin', lookin' at my dad! He can dance, can't he, mam? MRS. HOLROYD (_she has been lighting the lamp, and holds the lamp-glass_) And who else is there? MINNIE Some more men--an' _all_ the women with paper bonnets on. JACK There's about ten, I should think, an' they say they came in a brake from Nottingham. [_Mrs. Holroyd, trying to replace the lamp-glass over the flame, lets it drop on the floor with a smash._ JACK There, now--now we 'll have to have a candle. BLACKMORE (_appearing in the scullery doorway with the towel_) What's that--the lamp-glass? JACK I never knowed Mr. Blackmore was here. BLACKMORE (_to Mrs. Holroyd_) Have you got another? MRS. HOLROYD No. (_There is silence for a moment_) We can manage with a candle for to-night. BLACKMORE (_stepping forward and blowing out the smoky flame_) I'll see if I can't get you one from the pit. I shan't be a minute. MRS. HOLROYD Don't--don't bother--I don't want you to. [_He, however, unscrews the burner and goes._ MINNIE Did Mr. Blackmore come for tea, mam? MRS. HOLROYD No; he's had no tea. JACK I bet he's hungry. Can I have some bread?