Strangway.  Not yet!

Tibby.  Shall I shake my tambouline?

Strangway.  Yes, shake your tambouline.

Tibby. [Shaking her tambourine] Mune, I’m shaken’ at yu.

     [Strangway lays his hand suddenly on the rope, and swings it up
     on to the beam.]

Tibby.  What d’yu du that for?

Strangway.  To put it out of reach.  It’s better——­

Tibby.  Why is it better? [She stares up at him.]

Strangway.  Come along, Tibby! [He carries her to the big doors, and sets her down] See!  All asleep!  The birds, and the fields, and the moon!

Tibby.  Mune, mune, we’re wishing for yu!

Strangway.  Send her your love, and say good-night.

Tibby. [Blowing a kiss] Good-night, mune!

     [From the barn roof a little white dove’s feather comes floating
     down in the wind.  Tibby follows it with her hand, catches it,
     and holds it up to him.]

Tibby. [Chuckling] Luke.  The mune’s sent a bit o’ love!

Strangway. [Taking the feather] Thank you, Tibby!  I want that bit o’ love. [Very faint, comes the sound of music] Listen!

Tibby.  It’s Miss Willis, playin’ on the pianny!

Strangway.  No; it’s Love; walking and talking in the world.

Tibby. [Dubiously] Is it?

Strangway. [Pointing] See!  Everything coming out to listen!  See them, Tibby!  All the little things with pointed ears, children, and birds, and flowers, and bunnies; and the bright rocks, and—­men!  Hear their hearts beating!  And the wind listening!

Tibby.  I can’t hear—­nor I can’t see!

Strangway.  Beyond——­[To himself] They are—­they must be; I swear they are! [Then, catching sight of TIBBY’S amazed eyes] And now say good-bye to me.

Tibby.  Where yu goin’?

Strangway.  I don’t know, Tibby.

Voice of mercy. [Distant and cautious] Tibby!  Tibby!  Where are yu?

Strangway.  Mercy calling; run to her!

     [Tibby starts off, turns back and lifts her face.  He bends to
     kiss her, and flinging her arms round his neck, she gives him a
     good hug.  Then, knuckling the sleep out of her eyes, she runs.]

     [Strangway stands, uncertain.  There is a sound of heavy
     footsteps; a man clears his throat, close by.]

Strangway.  Who’s that?

Cremer.  Jack Cremer. [The big man’s figure appears out of the shadow of the barn] That yu, zurr?

Strangway.  Yes, Jack.  How goes it?

Cremer.  ’Tes empty, zurr.  But I’ll get on some’ow.

Strangway.  You put me to shame.