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Kirry [looking warningly at Bobby]: It will be the cat, it’s like, that’s been doin’ havock on the table.

Lizzie: But there’s no cat in now–not since poor pussy-bogh was stole.

Kirry: There’s plenty strange cats goin’ roun’ on the houses though at this time of year.

Bobby: Deed Lizzie an’ I saw a cat in this very house–an’ a fine big wan she was too–an’ long claws on her–

Kirry: Is that Bobby’s Daa callin’? [Listening at door and shaking her fist at him behind Lizzie’s back.] You’ll catch it, Bobby, if you don’t run.

Bobby [going slowly]: Cats is middlin’ inquisitive, too. I seen that wan goin’ in an’ she was lookin’ at herself in the glass–

Kirry: If you don’t hurry, I’ll go bail your Daa will give it you, for he was complainin’ of you to a parcel of us in the street only this very everin’.

Bobby [going]: She had her claws on the hat yondhar, too, thinkin’ them wings was chickens, it’s like! Miaow! [Exit.]

Kirry: Them boys has th’ imperince of sin at them.

Lizzie: Aw, poor Bobby for all. There’s no harm in the chile, an’ no mother to be steerin’ him either. Well come now to the table, Kirry, an’ make yourself at home.

Pours out tea; the girls take their tea chatting quietly. Kirry empties her cup into saucer to study the grounds. Lizzie comes round and looks carefully at it with her.

Kirry: Are you seein’ anything, Lizzie?

Lizzie: I’m not so good as some for seein’. Still an’ for all, Kirry–look there–isn’t that a sign of some one comin’ for you? Fair, isn’t he? an’ middlin’ tall an’ talkin’ the Baarle very stylish–

Kirry [snatching the saucer and looking]: Dear me, Lizzie, how are you seein’ so clavver? Listen here now. I’ve brought an apple in my bag to see what will we make of the parings. Give me