peter. Give her a drink of milk and a bit of the oaten cake.
bridget. Maybe we should give her something along with that, to bring her on her way. A few pence or a shilling itself, and we with so much money in the house.
peter. Indeed I’d not begrudge it to her if we had it to spare, but if we go running through what we have, we’ll soon have to break the hundred pounds, and that would be a pity.
bridget. Shame on you, Peter. Give her the shilling and your blessing with it, or our own luck will go from us.
[peter goes to the box and takes out a shilling.
bridget [to the old woman]. Will you have a drink of milk, ma'am?
old woman. It is not food or drink that I want.
peter [offering the shilling]. Here is something for you.
old woman. This is not what I want. It is not silver I want.
peter. What is it you would be asking for?
old woman. If any one would give me help he must give me himself, he must give me all.
[peter goes over to the table staring at the shilling in his hand in a
