Strife

Excerpt: ...MADGE, in the centre of the open doorway, slowly moves in, as though before the approach of some one. ROUS. Appearing in the doorway. Madge! MADGE stands with her back to MRS. ROBERTS, staring at him with her head up and her hands behind her. ROUS. Who has a fierce distracted look. Madge! I'm going to the meeting. MADGE, without moving, smiles contemptuously. D' ye hear me? They speak in quick low voices. MADGE. I hear! Go, and kill your own mother, if you must. ROUS seizes her by both her arms. She stands rigid, with her head bent back. He releases her, and he too stands motionless. ROUS. I swore to stand by Roberts. I swore that! Ye want me to go back on what I've sworn. MADGE. With slow soft mockery. You are a pretty lover! ROUS. Madge! MADGE. Smiling. I've heard that lovers do what their girls ask them- JAN sounds the cuckoo's notes -but that's not true, it seems! ROUS. You'd make a blackleg of me! MADGE. With her eyes half-closed. Do it for me! ROUS. Dashing his hand across his brow. Damn! I can't! MADGE. Swiftly. Do it for me! ROUS. Through his teeth. Don't play the wanton with me! MADGE. With a movement of her hand towards JAN-quick and low. I would be that for the children's sake! ROUS. In a fierce whisper. Madge! Oh, Madge! MADGE. With soft mockery. But you can't break your word for me! ROUS. With a choke. Then, Begod, I can! He turns and rushes off. MADGE Stands, with a faint smile on her face, looking after him. She turns to MRS. ROBERTS. MADGE. I have done for Roberts! MRS. ROBERTS. Scornfully. Done for my man, with that--! She sinks back. MADGE. Running to her, and feeling her hands. You're as cold as a stone! You want a drop of brandy. Jan, run to the "Lion"; say, I sent you for Mrs. Roberts. MRS. ROBERTS. With a feeble movement. I'll just sit quiet, Madge. Give Jan-his-tea. MADGE. Giving JAN a slice of bread. There, ye little rascal. Hold your piping. Going to the fire, she kneels. It's going...