Emily. Well, now you can go off back to work again. And you—[turning to Joan]—now that you’ve finished curling of your hair and dressing of yourself up, you can go and sit down in the best parlour along with your fancy gentlemen.
Miles. [Offering his arm to Joan.] It will be my sweet pleasure to conduct Missy to the parlour.
[Luke offers his arm on the other side, and Joan moves off with both the young men.
Joan. [As she goes.] Indeed, I shall be glad to rest on a comfortable couch. I’m dead tired of the country air already.
Robin. [Calling after her.] You’ll not go off to sleep afore the chicken and sparrow grass is ate, will you, Aunt?
[Miles, Luke and Joan having gone out, Emily begins to bang the chairs back in their places and to arrange the room, watched by the two children. Clara, who has remained half hidden by the door, now goes quietly upstairs.
Emily. [Calling.] Here, George, Mag.
[George comes in.
Emily. Well, George, ’tisn’t much worse nor I expected.
Jessie. I don’t like Aunt Clara.