Jessica: It relieves me to hear that. For I had dreaded lest their rose was blighted for ever.
Jane: And I too, Jessica. Especially when she died at his feet.
Joan: And yet, Jane, she did not really die, and somehow I was sure she would live.
Joyce: Yes, I was confident that Hobb would be as happy as he deserved to be.
Jennifer: I do not know why, but even at the worst I could not imagine a love-story ending in tears.
Martin: Neither could I. Since love's spear is for woe and his shield for joy. Why, I know of but one thing that could have lost him that battle.
Three of the Milkmaids: What thing?
Martin: Had the elements that go to make a man not been to Margaret's taste.
Conversation ceased in the Apple-Orchard.
Joscelyn: Her taste would have been the more commendable, singer. And your tale might have been the better worth listening to. But since tales have nothing in common with truth, it's a matter of indifference to me whether Hobb's rose suffered perpetual blight or not.