22
MRS. HOLROYD
[ACT I
- fans her friend with a handkerchief. Holroyd brings stout. She pours out the stout, smells the glass, smells the bottle—then finally the cork) Eh, mester, it ’s all of a work—it ’s had a foisty cork.
- [At that instant the stairfoot door opens slowly, revealing the children—the girl peering over the boy’s shoulder—both in white nightgowns. Everybody starts. Laura gives a little cry, presses her hand on her bosom, and sinks back, gasping.
Clara (appealing and anxious, to Mrs. Holroyd)
- You don’t ’appen to ’ave a drop of brandy for her, do you, missis?
- [Mrs. Holroyd rises coldly without replying, and goes to the stairfoot door where the children stand.
Mrs. Holroyd (sternly, to the children)
- Go to bed!
Jack
- What ’s a matter, mother?
Mrs. Holroyd
- Never you mind, go to bed!
Clara (appealingly)
- Be quick, missis.
- [Mrs. Holroyd, glancing round, sees Laura going purple, and runs past the children upstairs. The boy and girl sit on the lowest stair. Their father goes out of the house, shamefaced. Mrs. Holroyd runs downstairs with a little brandy in a large bottle.
Clara
- Thanks, awfully. (To Laura) Come on, try an’ drink a drop, there’s a dear.
- [They administer brandy to Laura. The children sit watching, open-eyed. The girl stands up to look.
