8
MRS. HOLROYD
[ACT I
Minnie
- Some more men—an’ all the women with paper bonnets on.
Jack
- There ’s about ten, I should think, an’ they say they came in a brake from Nottingham.
- [Mrs. Holroyd, trying to replace the lamp-glass over the flame, lets it drop on the floor with a smash.
Jack
- There, now—now we ’ll have to have a candle.
Blackmore (appearing in the scullery doorway with the towel) What ’s that—the lamp-glass?
Jack
- I never knowed Mr. Blackmore was here.
Blackmore (to Mrs. Holroyd)
- Have you got another?
Mrs. Holroyd
- No. (There is silence for a moment) We can manage with a candle for to-night.
Blackmore (stepping forward and blowing out the smoky flame) I ’ll see if I can’t get you one from the pit. I shan’t be a minute.
Mrs. Holroyd
- Don’t—don’t bother—I don’t want you to.
- [He, however, unscrews the burner and goes.
Minnie
- Did Mr. Blackmore come for tea, mam?
Mrs. Holroyd
- No; he ’s had no tea.
Jack
- I bet he ’s hungry. Can I have some bread?
