[May looks at him for a moment and then shakes her head.
Steve. All right. You can just bide where you be on the settle. ’Tis warmer within nor upon the road to-night, and I’ll come and let you out when ’tis morning.
[May raises both her hands in an attitude of supplication.
Steve. [Pausing, with his hand on the burner of the lamp.] Be there summat as you wants what I can give to you?
[May looks at him for a moment and then speaks in a harsh whisper.
May. Let I bide quiet in the dark, ’tis all I wants now. [Steve puts out the lamp.
Steve. [As though to himself, as he goes towards the door upstairs.] Then get off to your drunken sleep again, and your dreams.
[Curtain.
ACT II.—Scene 4.
The fire is almost out. A square of moonlight falls on the floor from the window. Vashti still sleeps in the chimney corner. May is rocking herself to and fro on the settle.