Elizabeth. And did you have company on the way home, Father?
Daniel. That I did. ’Twas along of young Andrew as I did come back.
Elizabeth. Along of Andrew? Girls, you may now go outside into the garden for a while. Yes, put aside your work.
May. Can’t we stop till the packets are opened?
Elizabeth. You heard what I said? Go off into the garden, and stop there till I send for you. And take uncle’s glass and wash it at the spout as you go.
Annet. [Taking the glass.] I’ll wash it, Aunt. Come May, you see aunt doesn’t want us any longer.
May. Now they’re going to talk secrets together. O I should dearly love to hear the secrets of grown-up people. [Annet and May go out together.
Daniel. Annet be got a fine big wench, upon my word. Now haven’t her, Mother?
Elizabeth. She’s got old enough to be put to service, and if I’d have had my way, ’tis to service she’d have gone this long time since, and that it is.
Daniel. ’Twould be poor work putting one of dead sister’s wenches out to service, so long as us have a roof over the heads of we and plenty to eat on the table.