MEGAN. I wished I 'adn't jumped--an' I thought of my baby--
that died--and--[in a rather surprised voice] and I thought of
d-dancin'.
[Her mouth quivers, her face puckers, she gives a choke and a
little sob.]
WELLWYN. [Stopping and stroking her.] There, there--there!
[For a moment her face is buried in his sleeve, then she
recovers herself.]
MRS. MEGAN. Then 'e got hold o' me, an' pulled me out.
WELLWYN. Ah! what a comfort--um?
MRS. MEGAN. Yes. The water got into me mouth.
[They walk again.] I wouldn't have gone to do it but for him.
[She looks towards FERRAND.] His talk made me feel all funny,
as if people wanted me to.
WELLWYN. My dear child! Don't think such things! As if anyone
would----!
MRS. MEGAN. [Stolidly.] I thought they did. They used to look at
me so sometimes, where I was before I ran away--I couldn't stop
there, you know.
WELLWYN. Too cooped-up?
MRS. MEGAN. Yes. No life at all, it wasn't--not after sellin'
flowers, I'd rather be doin' what I am.
WELLWYN. Ah! Well-it's all over, now! How d'you feel--eh?
Better?
MRS. MEGAN. Yes. I feels all right now.
[She sits up again on the little stool before the fire.]
WELLWYN. No shivers, and no aches; quite comfy?
MRS. MEGAN. Yes.
WELLWYN. That's a blessing. All well, now, Constable--thank you!
CONSTABLE. [Who has remained discreetly apart at the
door-cordially.] First rate, sir! That's capital! [He approaches
and scrutinises MRS.
Pages:
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152