John. Ah, and a wonderful hard tongue when her knowed ’twasn’t for she as they was pulled.
William. Was t’other maid anything of the same pattern, John?
John. Upon my word, if t’other wasn’t the worst of the two, for she did put a powerful lot of venom into the looks as she did give I, and the words did fall from she like so many bricks on my head.
William. Pity the first was not the right maid.
John. Ah, a maid what can treat a prime home-cured jowl as yon did baint the sort for to mistress it over we, I’m thinking.
Mrs. Gardner. See here, John—suppose you were to let your tongue bide still in its home awhile, and start doing something with your hands.
John. That’s right enough, mistress. What’s wanted, Master William?
William. I’m blessed if I can recollect, John. This courting business lies heavy on me, and I don’t seem able to get above it, like.
John. I’d let it alone, master, if I was you. They be all alike, the maids. And ’twouldn’t be amiss if we was to serve they as we serves the snails when they gets to the young plants.
[Susan comes hurriedly into the garden.