Jim:
That’s that: and so ...
(While they have been talking, Ezra has risen from the settle, unnoticed; and has hobbled to where Phœbe and Judith confront one another. He suddenly touches Phœbe’s arm.)
Ezra:
Cackling like guinea-fowl when a hawk’s in air!
I must have snoozed; yet, I caught the gabble. There’ll be
A clatter all day now, with two women’s tongues,
Clack-clack against each other, in the house—
Two pendulums in one clock. Lucky I’m deaf.
But, I remember. Give me back the bairn.
Nay: this is not the wench. I want Jim’s bride—
The mother of his daughter. Judith, lass,
Where are you? Come, I want to nurse my grandchild—
Jim’s little lass.
Eliza (stepping towards Ezra):
Come, hold your foolish tongue.
You don’t know what you’re saying. Come, sit down.
(Leads him back to the settle.)
Jim:
If he don’t stop his yammer, I’ll slit his weasen—
I’ll wring his neck for him!