John. [Giving his arm to Mary.] Now, Mary—now, Kitty. [They pass out.
Liz. Now, Jeremy, sister and me bain’t going off all alone.
Jeremy. [Offering an arm to each.] No further than the church door, I say. I’ve better things to do nor a-giving of my arm to females be they never so full of wiles. And you two do beat many what bain’t near so long in the tusk, ah, that you does.
[Jeremy goes out with the sisters.
Lubin. [To Isabel.] And shall we go off into the meadows, Isabel, seeing that we are quite forgot?
Isabel. No—’tis through these faithless ones as us have learnt to understand the hearts within of we. Let’s bide and get the marriage dinner ready for them first.
[She stretches both her hands towards Lubin, who takes them reverently in his as the Curtain falls.
THE NEW YEAR
CHARACTERS
Steve Browning, a Blacksmith, also Parish Clerk.