A man’s voice [calling outside the window]. Mistress! Mistress Elizabeth! Come out!
[Elizabeth Cavendish starts, rises, looks at her mother.
Countess [apparently stern]. Say that I have set you a task. Now do not go to the window!
Elizabeth [checking herself half-way to the window]. Nay, my Lord, I cannot come indeed. [Drops her voice.] Oh! mother, if it were one of the grooms or only my brother!
Countess. Little fool! It is the voice of Lennox. Mark you—play him wisely.
Lennox [calling again]. Mistress, there is no “cannot” when the sun calls!
Elizabeth. My Lord, lady mother says she ... needs me.
Lennox. It is not true. She is brewing a hot posset for my mother. I saw her shoulders in the buttery.
Countess [her shoulders shaking]. Oho! it was Mrs. Glasse he saw. I gave her once an old gown of mine to wear.
Elizabeth [moving to the window]. No, no, my Lord, she says it was Mrs. Gl.... [The Countess springs up, catches her sharply by the wrist, and gives her a little rap with her fan.]