ACT II.—Scene 1.
The kitchen of Ox Lease Farm. There are three doors. One opens to the staircase, one to the garden and a third into the back kitchen. At a table in the middle of the room Emily stands ironing some net window curtains. Jessie and Robin lean against the table watching her. By the open doorway, looking out on the garden, stands Thomas, a mug of cider in one hand and a large slice of bread in the other. As he talks, he takes alternate drinks and bites.
Emily. [Speaking in a shrill, angry voice.] Now Thomas, suppose you was to take that there bread a step further away and eat it in the garden, if eat it you must, instead of crumbling it all over my clean floor.
Thomas. Don’t you be so testy, Emily. The dogs’ll lick the crumbs up as clean as you like presently.
Emily. Dogs? I’d like to see the dog as’ll shew its nose in here to-day when I’ve got it all cleaned up against the coming of fine young madam.
Thomas. [Finishing his bread and looking wistfully at his empty hand.] The little maid’ll take a brush and sweep up her daddy’s crumbs, now, won’t her?
Emily. I’ll give it to any one who goes meddling in my brush cupboard now that I’ve just put all in order against the prying and nozzling of the good-for-nothing baggage what’s coming along with your sister.
Robin. What’s baggage, Mother?
Emily. [Sharply.] Never you mind. Get and take your elbow off my ironing sheet.
Jessie. [Looking at her father.] I count as you’d like a piece more bread, Dad?