[Jane and Liz draw themselves up, bridling, but Liz relaxes.
Liz. He must have his little joke, sister, man-like, you know.
[John enters.]
John. Jerry, and I’ve been seeking you everywhere. Come you off to the yard. ’Tis as much as we shall do to be ready afore church time. I never knew you to idle in the house afore.
Jeremy. [Taking up his pails, sarcastically.] ’Twas the females as tempted I, master, but ’twon’t occur again, so there. [He hurries off, followed by John.
Liz. [With dignity.] Us’ll go upstairs and dress, sister.
Jane. ’Tis time we did so. All them new-fashioned things be awkward in the fastenings.
[They go upstairs.
[Robert and Rose come in from the garden. Robert carries a little card-board box in his hand, which he places on the table. Rose sits down listlessly on a chair leaning her arms on the table.
Robert. [Undoing the box.] This is the bouquet what I promised to bring from town.