Scene I.—In the field. Carrie enters, R.
Carrie (soliloquizing). So Mrs. Montgomery’s nephew is coming to-day. I hope he is agreeable. I wonder if he is engaged. It must be nice to marry a rich man, and live in the city, and go to balls, parties, and the theatre. I don’t understand why Mrs. Montgomery doesn’t feel so. She married a merchant, and can live in fine style in the city, but yet she prefers the country. And to-day her nephew is coming here. He thinks people on a farm are countrified, but I guess we can show him they are not all so. I’ve a good mind to flirt with him a little, by way of variety. I don’t believe it would be very difficult to captivate him. Perhaps, I can teach him a lesson. (Enter Herbert, L., with a rake in his hand.) Ah, Herbert—just going to work?
Herbert. Yes. Won’t you go, too?
Car. What inducement have you to offer?
H. A ride home on the hay after it is put into the wagon.
Car. That might be sufficient sometimes, but not now, for I must hurry home. Do you know, Herbert, we are to have a new-comer at our house, this afternoon?
H. No. Who is it?
Car. Mrs. Montgomery’s nephew. Adolphus Fitz-William is his name, I believe. His aunt says he has never been in the country at all, and he thinks farmers’ families are countrified to the last degree. She has his picture, and it looks very foppish.
H. And he is coming to-day, is he?
Car. Yes; he’s expected in the first afternoon train, and it’s about time for that to be here. (Hears a step, and turns toward L.) I guess that’s he now. I must go. (She hurries out, R.)