And no mistake! I’m in the dowie dumps--
Maundering and moonging like a spancelled cow:
It’s over dour and dearn for me in this loaning
On a dowly day. Best pull myself together,
And put my best foot foremost before darkening:
And I’ve no mind to meet them in the road.
So long!

(_She goes out of the door and makes down the syke._)

JUDITH:
Good-bye! If you’d only bide a while ...
Come back! You mustn’t go like that ... Bell, Bell!

(_She breaks off, as BELL HAGGARD is already out of hearing, and stands
watching her till she is out of sight; then turns, closing the door,
and sinks into a chair in an abstracted fashion. She takes up her
knitting mechanically, but sits, motionless, brooding by the fire._)

JUDITH:
To think that Jim--and after all these years ...
And then, to come like that! I wonder what ...
I wish he hadn’t gone without the boots.

(_She resumes her knitting, musing in silence, until she is roused by
the click of the latch. The door opens, and BELL HAGGARD stumbles into
the room and sinks to the floor in a heap. Her brow is bleeding, and
her dress, torn and dishevelled._)

JUDITH (_starting up_):