Well now, if the ravens eat it or we eat it, it's goin' to be
eaten anyhow. [_A brief pause._] Well now, tell me: You was axed to carry
wood in?
LEONTINE
Yes, in this frost! Two loads o' regular clumps! An' that when a person
is tired as a dog, at half past nine in the evenin'!
MRS. WOLFF
An' now I suppose that wood is lyin' there in the street?
LEONTINE
It's lyin' in front o' the garden gate. That's all I know.
MRS. WOLFF
Well now, but supposin' somebody goes and steals that wood? What's goin'
to happen in the mornin' then?
LEONTINE
I ain't goin' there no more!
MRS. WOLFF
Are those clumps green or dry?
LEONTINE
They're fine, dry ones! [_She yawns again and again._] Oh, mama, I'm that
tired! I've just had to work myself to pieces.
[_She sits down with every sign of utter exhaustion._
MRS. WOLFF
[_After a brief silence._] You c'n stay at home tonight for all I care.
I've thought it all out a bit different. An' to-morrow mornin' we c'n
see.
LEONTINE
I've just got as thin as can be, mama! My clothes is just hangin' on to
me.
MRS. WOLFF
You hurry now and go in to bed or papa'll raise a row yet. He ain't got
no understandin' for things like that.
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