Fiddler. Phew!
A moment's pause, and Cynthia opens the front door, and comes in very quietly, almost shyly, as if she were uncertain of her welcome.
Cynthia. Fiddler! Where is he? Has he come? Is he here? Has he gone?
Fiddler. [Rattled.] Nobody's gone, ma'am, except the Reverend Matthew Phillimore.
Cynthia. Matthew? He's been here and gone? [Fiddler nods assent.] You don't mean I'm too late? He's married them already?
Fiddler. Nogam says he married them!
Cynthia. He's married them! Married! Married before I could get here! [Sinking into an armchair.] Married in less time than it takes to pray for rain! Oh, well, the church—the church is a regular quick marriage counter. [Vida and John are heard in light-hearted laughter.] Oh!
Fiddler. I'll tell Mr. Karslake—
Cynthia. [Rising and going to the dining-room door, turns the key in the lock and takes it out.] No—I wouldn't see him for the world! [Moving to the work-table with the key.] If I'm too late, I'm too late! and that's the end of it! [Laying the key on the table, she remains standing near it.] I've come, and now I'll go! [There is a long pause during which Cynthia looks slowly about the room, then sighs and changes her tone.] Well, Fiddler, it's all a good deal as it used to be in my day.
Fiddler. No, ma'am—everything changed, even the horses.