I’ve never seen him.
Ruth keeps her counsel. I’d not even heard
His name, till late last night; and then by chance:
But, I’ve not slept a wink since, you may guess.
When I heard “Barrasford of Krindlesyke,”
My heart went cold within me, thinking of Jim,
And what he’d been to me. I’d had no news
Of all that’s happened since I left the day
Jim wedded; and ...
Bell:
The nowt felt like a poacher,
When keeper’s sneaked his bunny, and broken his snare?
Judith:
I fancied he, perhaps ...
Bell:
Ay, likely enough.
Jim’s wasted a sight of matches, since that day
He burnt his fingers so badly: but he’s not kindled
A hearthfire yet at Krindlesyke. Anyway,
For Michael to be his son, I’d need to be
Even an older flame of his than you:
For Michael’s twenty-one.
Judith:
As old as that?
But I could never rest, till I’d made sure.
Knowing myself, I did not question Ruth ...
Bell: