But where’s the canny couple?

JUDITH:
Ruth and Michael
Are at the hiring.

JIM:
Well, I’ll not deny
That suits my book. I’d a notion, Judith lass,
I’d find you alone, and make my peace with you,
Before I tackled the young folk. Poor relations
Aren’t made too welcome in this ungrateful world--
Least so, by those who’ve taken the bread from their mouths,
And beggared them of bit and brat: and so
I thought ’twould be more couthy-like with you,
Just having a crack and talking old times over,
Till I was more myself. I don’t like strangers,
Not even when they’re my own flesh and blood:
They’ve got a trick of staring at a man:
And all I want is to be let alone--
Just let alone ... By God, why can’t they let me
Alone! But you are kind and comfortable:
And you won’t heckle me and stare at me:
For I’m not quite myself: I’ll own to that--
I’m not myself ... Though who the devil I am
I hardly ken ... I’ve been that hunted and harried.

JUDITH:
Hunted?