george. [To his father-in-law.] Must we come too?
mrs. prestige. [As before.] I can't help it . . a sneerin' carpin' cavillin' devil!
mrs. opie. Markswayde is to let . . as I hear . . Mr. Leete?
carnaby. Markswayde is to let.
He goes on his way to the dining-room meeting sarah who comes out carrying a glass of water and a decanter of brandy. sir george leete is comfortably warming himself at the fire.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The living room of john abud's new cottage has bare plaster walls and its ceilings and floor are of red brick; all fresh looking but not new. In the middle of the middle wall there is a latticed window, dimity curtained; upon the plain shelf in front are several flower-pots.
To the right of this, a door, cross beamed and with a large lock to it besides the latch.
Against the right hand wall, is a dresser, furnished with dishes and plates: below it is a common looking grandfather clock; below this a small door which when opened shows winding stairs leading to the the room above. In the left hand wall there is a door which is almost hidden by the fireplace which juts out below it. In the fireplace a wood fire is laid but not lit. At right angles to this stands a heavy oak settle opposite a plain deal table; just beyond which is a little bench. On either side of the window is a Windsor armchair. Between the window and the door hangs a framed sampler.
In the darkness the sound of the unlocking of a door and of abud entering is heard. He walks to the table, strikes a light upon a tinder-box and lights a candle which he finds there. ann is standing in the doorway. abud is in stocking feet.