John. Come along then Master William. You can leave the spring vegetables to she. ’Tis more nor she deserves, seeing as her might have known as ’twas her mistress the both of us was after, all the time.
[Laura throws herself on the seat and begins to cry silently, but passionately.
William. O John, this courting, ’tis powerful heavy work.
John. [Taking William’s arm.] Come you along with me, master, and I’ll give you a helping hand with it all.
Laura. [Looking up and speaking violently.] I warrant you will, you clown. But let me advise you to look better afore you leap next time, or very likely ’tis in sommat worse than a ditchful of nettles as you’ll find yourself.
John. [Looking back over his shoulders as he goes off with William.] I reckon as you’ve no call to trouble about we, mistress. Us is they what can look after theirselves very well. Suppose you was to wash your face and dry your eyes and set about the boiling of yon spring cabbage. ’Twould be sensibler like nor to bide grizzling after one as is beyond you in his station, so ’twould.
[John and William go out, leaving Laura weeping on the bench, the basket of vegetables by her side.
[Curtain.]
ACT II.—Scene 3.
Julia is sitting at the foot of a tree in the wood. Chris, Nat and Tansie are seated near her on the ground.