Mrs. Cromwell:

There's always something wrong. It keeps men busy, I suppose.

Elizabeth:

But it was brave of John.

Mrs. Cromwell:

I know, I know. But why must he come here to-night of all in the year? Oliver's like somebody out of the Bible about to-morrow as it is. This will make him worse. I wish John no harm, but—well, I hope he's got a bad horse.

Elizabeth:

Oliver's mind is made up about the common, whatever happens. John will make no difference.

Mrs. Cromwell:

You can't pretend he'll make him more temperate.