Miles. [Getting up and walking about the room.] As you will—as you will. Anything to oblige a lady.
[He stops before the table, on which is laid Emily’s silk dress, and begins to finger it.
Joan. What’s that you’re looking at?
Miles. Ten or fifteen shillings the yard, and not a penny under, I’ll be bound.
Joan. O do come and talk to me again and leave off messing with the old silk.
Miles. No, no, Missy, I’m a man of business habits, and ’tis my duty to go straight off to the meadow and seek out brother Thomas. He and I have got to talk things over a bit, you know.
Joan. Off so soon! O you have saddened me.
Miles. Nay, what is it to lose a few minutes of sweet company, when life is in front of us, Miss Clara?
[He raises her hand, kisses it, and leaves her. As he goes out by the door Clara enters.
Joan. O, Mistress—stop him going down to Farmer Thomas at the meadow!