Kitty. They may be upon us any time now. I’ll go out and gather the flowers for the parlour, since you don’t want me any more within, Rose.
John. And I’ll get and finish Jeremy’s work in the yard. ’Tis upside down and round about and no how to-day. But we’ll come out of it some time afore next year I reckon.
Jeremy. Don’t you ever go for to get married, master. There could never come a worser caddle into a man’s days nor matrimony, I count.
[John, on his way to the door, pauses—as though momentarily lost in thought.
John. Was Mary Meadows asked to drop in at any time to-day, Rose?
Rose. [Who is taking up her gown and ribbons to show to Isabel, and speaking crossly.] I’m sure I don’t know, nor care. I’ve enough to think about as ’tis.
Kitty. [Taking John’s arm playfully.] You’re terribly took up with Mary Meadows, John.
John. There isn’t many like her, Kitty. She do rear herself above t’others as—as a good wheat stalk from out the rubbish.
[John and Kitty go slowly out.
Jeremy. [As though to himself.] I sees as how I shall have to keep an eye on master—[turning to Lubin and signing to him.] But come, my man, us has no time for romance, ’tis dish washing as lies afore you now.