SCENE II]
MRS. HOLROYD
23
Minnie (whispering)
- I believe it ’s blue bonnet.
Jack (whispering)
- It is n’t—she ’s in a fit.
Minnie (whisperimg)
- Well, look under th’ table—(Jack peers under)—there ’s ’er bonnet. (Jack creeps forward) Come back, our Jack.
Jack (returns with the bonnet)
- It ’s all made of paper.
Minnie
- Let ’s have a look—it ’s stuck together, not sewed.
- [She tries it on. Holroyd enters—he looks at the child.
Mrs. Holroyd (sharply, glancing round)
- Take that off!
- [Minnie hurriedly takes the bonnet from her head. Her father snatches it from her and puts it on the fire.
Clara
- There, you ’re coming round now, love.
- [Mrs. Holroyd turns away. She sees Holroyd’s eyes on the brandy-bottle, and immediately removes it, corking it up.
Mrs. Holroyd (to Clara)
- You will not need this any more?
Clara
- No, thanks. I ’m very much obliged.
Mrs. Holroyd (does not unbend, but speaks coldly to the children) Come, this is no place for you—come back to bed.
Minnie No, mam, I don’t want to.
