And the Prince has brought her home--to wash the dishes.
But now I’m free: and I’ll away to-night.
My bones have been restless in me all day long:
They felt their freedom coming, before I kenned.
I’ve little time to lose: I’m getting old--
Stiff-jointed in my wits, that once were nimble
As a ferret among the bobtails, old and dull.
A night or so may seem to matter little,
When I’ve already lost full fifteen-year:
But I hear the owls call: and my fur’s a-tingle:
The Haggard blood is pricking in my veins.

(_She loosens the string of her apron, which slips to the ground, kilts
her skirt to her knee, takes the orange-coloured kerchief from her
pocket, and twists it about her head; while MICHAEL and RUTH watch
the transformation in amazement._)

MICHAEL:
But you don’t mean to leave us?

BELL:
Pat it comes:
You’ve just to twitch the wire and the bell rings:
You’ll learn the trick, soon, Ruth. (_To MICHAEL_) Bat, don’t you see
I’ve just put on my nightcap, ready for bed--
Grannie’s frilled mutch? I leave you, Michael? Son,
The time came, as it comes to every man,
When you’d to make a choice betwixt two women.
You’ve made your choice: and chosen well: but I,
Who’ve always done the choosing, and never yet