[Maggie, wiping a plate comes from the back kitchen.
Maggie. Was you calling, mistress?
Emily. What’s this you’ve got saying to Miss Jessie, I should like to know.
Jessie. [Running to Maggie and laying her hand on her arm.] Dear Maggie, ’tis only what you did tell about poor mother’s tongue being in the vinegar jar.
Maggie. O Miss Jessie.
Emily. Hark you here, my girl—if ’twasn’t hay time you should bundle up your rags and off with you this minute. But as ’tis awkward being short of a pair of hands just now, you’ll bide a week or two and then you’ll get outside of my door with no more character to you nor what I took you with.
Thomas. Come, come Emily. The girl’s a good one for to work, and that she is.
Emily. Be quiet, Thomas. This is my business, and you’ll please to keep your words till they’re wanted.
Maggie. O mistress, I didn’t mean no harm, I didn’t.
Emily. I don’t want no words nor no tears neither.