Free Pygmalion and Three Other Plays (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) by George Bernard Shaw Page B

the first change?
    PRICE [cheerfully] No good jawrin about it. Youre ony a jumped-up, jerked-off, orspittle-turned-out incurable av of an ole workin man: who cares about you? Eh? Make the thievin swine give you a meal: theyve stole many a one from you. Get a bit o your own back. [JENNY returns with the usual meal. ] There you are, brother. Awsk a blessin an tuck that into you.
    SHIRLEY [looking at it ravenously but not touching it, and crying like a child] I never took anything before.
    JENNY [petting him] Come, come! the Lord sends it to you: he wasnt above taking bread from his friends; and why should you be? Besides, when we find you a job you can pay us for it if you like.
    SHIRLEY [eagerly] Yes, yes: thats true. I can pay you back: its only a loan. [Shivering.] Oh Lord! oh Lord! [He turns to the table and attacks the meal ravenously. ]
    JENNY Well, Rummy, are you more comfortable now?
    RUMMY God bless you, lovey! youve fed my body and saved my soul, havent you? [JENNY, touched, kisses her.] Sit down and rest a bit: you must be ready to drop.
    JENNY Ive been going hard since morning. But theres more work than we can do. I mustnt stop.
    RUMMY Try a prayer for just two minutes. Youll work all the better after.
    JENNY [her eyes lighting up] Oh isnt it wonderful how a few minutes prayer revives you! I was quite lightheaded at twelve o‘clock, I was so tired; but Major Barbara just sent me to pray for five minutes; and I was able to go on as if I had only just begun. [To PRICE.] Did you have a piece of bread?
    PRICE [with unction] Yes, miss; but Ive got the piece that I value more; and thats the peace that passeth hall hannerstennin. aw
    RUMMY [ fervently] Glory Hallelujah!
    BILL WALKER, a rough customer of about 25 , appears at the yard gate and looks malevolently at JENNY.
    JENNY That makes me so happy. When you say that, I feel wicked for loitering here. I must get to work again.
    She is hurrying to the shelter, when the new-comer moves quickly up to the door and intercepts her. His manner is so threatening that she retreats as he comes at her truculently, driving her down the yard.
    BILL I know you. Youre the one that took away my girl. Youre the one that set er agen me. Well, I’m goin to av er out. Not that I care a curse for her or you: see? But I’ll let er know; and I’ll let you know. I’m goin to give er a doin thatll teach er to cut away from me. Now in with you and tell er to come out afore I come in and kick er out. Tell er Bill Walker wants er. She’ll know what that means; and if she keeps me waitin itll be worse. You stop to jaw back at me; and I’ll start on you: d‘ye hear? Theres your way. In you go. [He takes her by the arm and slings her towards the door of the shelter. She falls on her hand and knee. RUMMY helps her up again.]
    PRICE [rising, and venturing irresolutely towards BILL] Easy there, mate. She aint doin you no arm.
    BILL Who are you callin mate? [Standing over him threateningly. ] Youre goin to stand up for her, are you? Put up your ands.
    RUMMY [running indignantly to him to scold him] Oh, you great brute— [He instantly swings his left hand back against her face. She screams and reels back to the trough, where she sits down, covering her bruised face with her hands and rocking herself and moaning with pain. ]
    JENNY [going to her] Oh God forgive you! How could you strike an old woman like that?
    BILL [seizing her by the hair so violently that she also screams, and tearing her away from the old woman] You Gawd forgive me again and I’ll Gawd forgive you one on the jaw thatll stop you prayin for a week. [Holding her and turning fiercely on PRICE.] Av you anything to say agen it? Eh?
    PRICE [intimidated] No, matey: she aint anything to do with me.
    BILL Good job for you! I’d put two meals into you and fight you with one finger after, you starved cur. [To JENNY.] Now are you goin to fetch out Mog Habbijam; ax or am I to knock your face off you and fetch her myself?
    JENNY [writhing in