_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.