But Jim, your husband: and not for me to say,
Before his wife, that he’s the draft of the flock.
Give me the baby: I’ll not let it fall:
I’ve always had a way with bairns, and women.
It’s not for naught I’ve tended ewes and lambs,
This sixty-year.

(_He snatches the baby from JUDITH, before she realizes what he is
doing, and hobbles away with it to the high-backed settle by the fire,
out of sight. Before JUDITH can move to follow him, steps are heard on
the threshold._)

ELIZA:
Ah, God: they’re at the door!

_As she speaks, JIM and PHŒBE BARRASFORD enter, talking and laughing.
JUDITH ELLERSHAW shrinks into the shadow behind the door, while they
come between her and the settle on which EZRA is nursing the baby
unseen. ELIZA stands dazed in the middle of the room._

JIM:
And they lived happy ever afterwards,
Eh, lass? Well, mother: I’ve done the trick: all’s over;
And I’m a married man, copt fair and square,
Coupled to Phœbe: and I’ve brought her home.
You call the lass to mind, though you look moidart?
What’s dozzened you? She’ll find her wits soon, Phœbe:
They’re in a mullock, all turned howthery-towthery
At the notion of a new mistress at Krindlesyke--
She’ll come to her senses soon, and bid you welcome.