all dark women
seem to be!

{Izod.} Coin for tobacco! _(rapping table)_

{Chris.} _(starting)_ Oh, yes, dear.

_(She goes off L., Izod again produces the keys and
jingles them on the table.)_

{Izod.} _(glancing in the direction of door R., C.)_
Keys! and a name cut on the key-ring, _(shaking
them)_ What sort of a tune do they play, I wonder?
_(rises)_

_(Chris, re-enters carrying a small purse. She comes
L. of table, and empties the contents into his R.
hand.)_

_(counting money)_ Five bob.

{Chris.} Leave me a little.

{Izod.} _(pocketing money)_ There's a shilling for
you. I'll pay you what I owe you when you coax
the squire to employ me regularly on the farm, _(goes
to R., C.)_

{Chris.} _(C.)_ That'll never be--I've tried.

{Izod.} Have you? _(showing bunch of keys)_ Look
there. Don't snatch; read the name on the ring.
_(showing the ring only)_

_(She examines the ring, which he still holds fast.)_
{Chris.} The name of the man who is always hanging
about this place, _(quickly)_ Where did you get
this?

_(Gilbert Hythe appears in the archway from L.;
as he enters, they separate, Izod to R., she to L.)_

{Gil.} Is the Squire indoors, Christie? _(He comes
down C. He is a fine, strapping fellow, about thirty,
dressed roughly in an old velvet jacket, cords and
gaiters. He carries a light double-barrelled gun)_

{Chris.} _(L.)_ Yes, Mr. Hythe.

{Gil.} _(C, seeing Izod)_ What the devil are you
doing here?

{Izod.} _(R.)_ Nothing.

{Gil.} That's what you're always doing everywhere.
Get out!

{Izod.} _(defiantly)_ I cleaned the windows here last
Tuesday, and I haven't been paid for it.

{Gil.} That's a lie. _(goes towards him)_

{Izod.} Well, then, I _have_ been paid for it, and I've
come to visit my dear sister.

{Gil.} Look here, Izod, I've had half an hour at
the ricks this morning, ferreting the rats. A man
shoots rats because they are vermin--it's lucky for
you, and idlers like you, that you're on two legs
instead of four.

{Chris.} For shame, Gilbert Hythe; I'm his sister.
_(goes to C.)_

{Gil.} I beg your pardon, Christie; I ought to have
held my tongue before you. Look here, Izod, my
lad, you know that the Squire can