ACT I.—Scene 1.
A village green. Some girls with market baskets come on to it, each one carrying a leaflet which she is earnestly reading.
Gradually all the girls approach from different sides reading leaflets.
Under a tree at the far end of the green the old gipsy is sitting—she lights a pipe and begins to smoke as Rose, her basket full of market produce, comes slowly forward reading her sheet of paper. She is followed by Marion—also reading.
Rose. Well, ’tis like to be a fine set out, this May Day.
Marion. I can make naught of it myself.
Rose. Why, ’tis Lord Cullen putting it about as how he be back from the war and thinking of getting himself wed, like.
Marion. I understands that much, I do.
Rose. Only he can’t find the maid what he’s lost his heart to.
Marion. [Reading.] The wench what his lordship did see a-dancing all by herself in the forest when he was hid one day all among the brambles, a-rabbiting or sommat.