Mandy. Sh, missy! I hears you’ aunt on de stairs.
Enter Miss Lavinia Boltwood, handsomely gowned.
Miss B. Cease your chattering, Mandy. Fetch me the egg cakes and the macaroons from the great cupboard.
[Exit Mandy.
Betty. With your permission, aunt, I will go abroad to take the air. ’Tis too beauteous a day to remain within.
(Takes off her apron.)
Miss B. Then I pray you go down to the Meadow Road and buy me some sage cheese from Mrs. Abiel Dickinson. Should you chance to see young William, chatter not with him. ’Tis not seemly for maidens to talk overmuch with men.
Enter Mandy with a plate of cakes in each hand. She stands listening with the plates slanted so that the cakes are in danger of falling off. She now grins knowingly at Betty behind Miss B.’s back.
Betty (demurely). I will heed your counsel, aunt. ’Twill be best to wear my new bonnet. The old one is sadly shabby.
(Exit Betty, who returns in a moment and puts her bonnet on before the mirror.)