New Comedies Part 20

_Damer:_ I to lose, you may kill me on the moment! My heart is driven down in the sole of my shoe!

_Simon:_ That is poor courage.

_Damer:_ There is some shiver forewarning me I will lose! I made a strong oath I never would give in again to try any sort of chance.

_Simon:_ You didn't make it but with yourself.

_Damer:_ It was through my luck leaving me I swore against betting and gaming.

_Simon:_ It might turn back fresh and hearty where you gave it so long a rest.

_Damer:_ Well--maybe----

_Simon:_ Here now.

_Damer:_ I dare not.

_Simon: (Going to door.)_ I'll make my bet so according to a dream I had. It is on a red horse I will put it to-morrow.

_Damer:_ No--stop--wait a minute.

_Simon:_ I'll win surely following my dream.

_Damer:_ I might not lose.

_Simon:_ I'm in dread of that. All turns to the man is rich.

_Damer:_ I'll chance it!

_Simon:_ You said no and I'll take no.

_Damer:_ You cannot go back of your word.

_Simon:_ Let me go out from you tempting me.

_Damer: (Seizing him.)_ Heads! I say heads!

_Simon:_ Harps it is. I win.

_Damer:_ My bitter grief! Ochone!

_Simon:_ I'll toss you for another.

_Damer:_ You will not. What's tosses? Look at here what is put in my way! _(Holds up pack of cards.)_

_Simon:_ Where's the stakes?

_Damer:_ Wait a second. _(Goes into room.)_

_Simon:_ Hurry on or I won't stop.

_Damer:_ Let you not stir out of that!

_(Comes back and throws money on table.)_

_Simon:_ Come on so.

_(Shuffles cards.)_

_Darner:_ Give me the pack. _(Cuts.)_ I didn't feel a card between my fingers this seven and a half-score years!

_Simon:_ Spades are trumps.

_Darner: (Lighting candle.)_ I'll win it back! I won't begrudge spending a penny candle, no, or two penny candles! I'll play you to the brink of day!

_Curtain_

ACT II

_The next morning. The same kitchen. Simon Niland is lying asleep on the hearth. Ralph and Staffy are looking at him_.

_Staffy:_ Who is it at all is in it?

_Ralph:_ Who would it be but Simon Niland, that is come following after us.

_Staffy:_ Stretched and sleeping all the same as if there was a pin of slumber in his hair, as in the early times of the world. The day pa.s.sing without anything doing. That one will never win to a fortune.

_Ralph:_ It would be as well for ourselves maybe he not to be too great with Damer.

_Staffy:_ Will Delia make any headway I wonder. She had good courage to go face him, and he abroad on the land, sitting stooped on the bent body of a bush.

_Ralph:_ I wonder what way did that lad make his way into this place. Wait now till I'll waken and question him.

_(Shakes Simon.)_

_Simon: (Drowsily.)_ Who is that stirring me?

_Ralph:_ Rouse yourself up now.

_Simon:_ Do not be rousing me, where I am striving to catch a hold of the tail of my last dream.

_Staffy:_ Is it seeking for a share of Damer's wealth you are come?

_Simon:_ I never asked and never looked for it.

_Staffy:_ You are going the wrong road to reach to it.