Jessie. O I’ll kiss her very lightly, Mother.
[She goes up to Joan and kisses her. Robin then reaches up his face and Joan kisses him.
Robin. [Rubbing his mouth.] The flour do come from Aunt same as it does from a new loaf.
Miles. [To Joan.] You must pardon these ignorant little country brats, Miss Clara.
Joan. O there’s nothing amiss, thank you.
Emily. Amiss, who said as there was? When folks what can afford to lodge at the inn do come down and fasten theirselves on the top of poor people, they must take things as they do find them and not start grumbling at the first set off.
Luke. There, there, Missis Spring. There wasn’t naught said about grumbling. But Miss Clara have come a smartish long distance, and it behoves us all as she should find summat of a welcome at the end of her journey, like.
Miles. [Aside to Joan.] How strange this country tongue must fall on your ears, Miss Clara!
Joan. I don’t understand about half of what they say.
Emily. [Overhearing her.] O, you don’t, don’t you. Well, Clara, I was always one for plain words, and I say ’tis a pity when folks do get above the position to which they was bred, and for all the fine satins and plumes upon you, the body what’s covered by them belongs to Clara Spring, what’s sister to Thomas. And all the world knows what Thomas is—A poor, mean spirited, humble born man with but two coats to the back of him, and with not a thought to the mind of him which is not foolishness. And I judge from by what they be in birth, and not by the bags of gold what have been left them by any old madams in their dotage. So now you see how I takes it all and you and me can start fair, like.