ANNE.
Sit, then, Diantha, and let us have a quiet hour.
DIANTHA
(standing behind them, half-gay, half-mocking).
A quiet hour—! Hither come Patience and Miriam and Ruth, the greatest clatter-tongues in Plymouth. See! They have been gathering wild plum blossoms!
[Enter Miriam, Patience, and Ruth from background. They hasten towards Diantha. The exquisite white of the blossoms they carry makes them look like heralds of the Spring.
MIRIAM
(excitedly).
Diantha, what dost think! Priscilla Mullins hath declared herself weary of spinning in her own door-yard, and since Squanto hath told us that we need not fear the Indians she hath besought Degory Martin and John Billington to bring hither her spinning-wheel.
PATIENCE
(wide-eyed).
Was ever the like known in Plymouth!
RUTH
(as all look eagerly towards background).