GOODY RICKBY Mistress Rachel Merton—so early! I hope your uncle, our worshipful Justice, is not ill?

RACHEL No, my uncle is quite well. The early morning suits me best for a walk. You are—quite alone?

GOODY RICKBY Quite alone, mistress. [Bitterly.] Oh, folks don’t call on Goody Rickby—except on business.

RACHEL [Absently, looking round in the dim shop.] Yes—you must be busy. Is it—is it here?

GOODY RICKBY You mean the—

RACHEL [Starting back, with a cry.] Ah! who’s that?

GOODY RICKBY [Chuckling.] Fear not, mistress; ’tis nothing but a scarecrow. I’m going to put him in my corn-field yonder. The crows are so pesky this year.

RACHEL [Draws her skirts away with a shiver.] How loathsome!

GOODY RICKBY [Vastly pleased.] He’ll do!

RACHEL Ah, here!—This is the mirror?