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THE POT OF BROTH
33
Thinking to meet my love once more
I cried and whistled but vain, all vain.
[He repeats the verse, sibby singing too and beating time with fork.
sibby [to john] I always knew I was too good for you! [She goes on humming.]
john. Well, he has the poor woman bewitched.
sibby [suddenly coming to her wits]. Did you take the chicken out yet?
tramp [taking it out and giving it a good squeeze into the pot.] I did, ma’am. Look at it there.
[He takes it and lays on table.
john. How is the broth getting on?
tramp [tasting it with a spoon]. It’s grand. It’s always grand.
sibby. Give me a taste of it.
tramp [takes the pot off and slips the ham bone behind him]. Give me some vessel till I'll give this sky-woman a taste of it.
[john gives him an egg-cup which he fills and gives to sibby. john gives him a mug, and he fills this for himself, pouring it back and forward from the mug to a bowl that is on the table, and drinking gulps now and again. sibby blows at hers and smells it.
sibby. There’s a good smell on it anyway. [Tasting.] It’s lovely. Oh, I'd give the
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