Clara. Now, Joan, if I were you, I should go out into the garden, and let the gentlemen find you in the arbour. Your ways are more easy and natural when you are in the air.
Joan. O I’m very nigh dead with fright when I’m within doors. ’Tis so hard to move about without knocking myself against sommat. But at table ’tis worst of all.
Clara. You’ve stopped up in your room two breakfasts with the headache, and yesterday we took our dinner to the wood.
Joan. But to-night ’twill be something cruel, for Farmer Thomas have asked them both to supper again.
Clara. Luke Jenner and the other man?
Joan. I beg you to practise me in my ways, a little, afore the time, mistress.
Clara. That I will. We will find out what is to be upon the table, and then I will shew you how it is to be eaten.
Joan. And other things as well as eating. When I be sitting in the parlour, Miss Clara, and Hooper, he comes up and asks my pleasure, what have I got to say to him?
Clara. O, I shouldn’t trouble about that. I’d open my fan and take no notice if I were you.
Joan. I do feel so awkward like in speech with Farmer Thomas, mistress. And with the children, too.