; he's an honest lad;
And he'll speak truly. If he denies the bairn ...

PHOEBE:
I've not been used to doubting people's word.
My father's daughter couldn't but be trustful
Of what men said; for he was truth itself.
If only he'd lived, I mightn't ...

JUDITH:
If Jim denies ...

PHOEBE:
If Jim can look me in the eyes, and swear ...

JUDITH:
Come, set her mind at ease. Don't spare me, Jim;
But look her in the eyes, and tell her all;
For she's your wife; and has a right to ken
The bairn's no bairn of yours. Come, lad, speak out;
And don't stand gaping. You ken as well as I
The bairn ... Speak! Speak! Have you no tongue at all?

(_She pauses; but JIM hesitates to speak._)

Don't think of me. You've naught to fear from me.
Tell all you ken of me right out: no word
Of yours can hurt me now: I'm shameless, now:
I'm in the ditch, and spattered to the neck.
Come, don't mince matters: your tongue's not so modest
It fears to make your cheeks burn--I ken that;
And when the question is a woman's virtue,
It rattles like a reaper round a wheatfield,
And as little cares if it's cutting grain or poppies.
So, it's too late to blush and stammer now,
And let your teeth trip up your tongue. Speak out!

(_JIM still hesitates._)

Your wife is waiting; if you don't tell her true,
And quick about it, it's your own look-out.
I wouldn't be in your shoes, anyway.
See, how she's badgered me; and all because ...
Come: be a man: and speak.

JIM:
The brat's no brat
Of mine, Phoebe, I swear ...

(_He stops in confusion, dropping his eyes. PHOEBE turns from him, lays
one hand on the latch and the other on JUDITH's arm._)

PHOEBE:
Come, lass, it's time
We were getting home.

JUDITH:
We?

PHOEBE:
Ay, unless you'd stay?
You've the right.

JUDITH:
I stay? O God, what have I done!
That I'd never crossed the threshold!

ELIZA:
You're not going
To leave him, Phoebe? You cannot: you're his wife;
And cannot quit ... But, I'm getting old ...

JIM:
Leave me?
Leave me? She's mad! I never heard the like--
And on my wedding-day--stark, staring mad!
But, I'm your husband; and I bid you bide.

PHOEBE:
O Jim, if you had only told the truth,
I might, God knows--for I was fond of you,
And trusted ...