BRIDGET BRUIN
I will warm your chilly feet.
(She takes the child's feet in her hands.)
MAURTEEN BRUIN
You must have come
A long, long way, for I have never seen
Your pretty face, and must be tired and hungry;
Here is some bread and wine.
THE CHILD
The wine is bitter.
Old mother, have you no sweet food for me?
BRIDGET BRUIN
I have some honey!
(She goes into the next room.)
MAURTEEN BRUIN
You are a dear child;
The mother was quite cross before you came.
(BRIDGET returns with the honey, and goes to the dresser
and fills a porringer with milk.)
BRIDGET BRUIN
She is the child of gentle people; look
At her white hands and at her pretty dress.
I've brought you some new milk, but wait awhile,
And I will put it by the fire to warm,
For things well fitted for poor folk like us
Would never please a high-born child like you.
THE CHILD
Old mother, my old mother, the green dawn
Brightens above while you blow up the fire;
And evening finds you spreading the white cloth.
The young may lie in bed and dream and hope,
But you work on because your heart is old.