Page:Plays in Prose and Verse (1922).djvu/39

Rh That's all I have in the world unless the stone I picked up to pelt at that yelping dog a while ago. [Takes stone out of pocket and tosses it up and down.] In the time long ago I usen't to have much trouble to find a dinner, getting over the old women and getting round the young ones! I remember the time I met the old minister on the path and sold him his own flock of turkeys. My wits used to fill my stomach then, but I'm afraid they're going from me now with all the hardship I went through.

[Cackling heard again and cries.

's voice. Catch her, she's round the bush! Put your hands in the nettles, don't be daunted!

[A choked cackle and prolonged screech.

. There's a dinner for somebody anyway. That it may be for myself! How will I come round her, I wonder? There is no more pity in her heart than there's a soul in a dog. If all the saints were standing barefoot before her she'd bid them to call another day. It's myself I have to trust to now, and my share of talk.[Looks at the stone.] I know what I'll do, I know what the tinker did with a stone, and I'm as good a man as he is anyway. [He jumps up and waves the stone over his head.] Now, Sibby! If I don't do it one way I'll do it another. My wits against the world!