NELI. [Amazed, and whispering to herself.] Under the table!
HUGH. [Rising and putting up his hand as a sign for her to keep silent.] Nay, 'twas Mrs. Jones the Wash come to buy her soap whatever!
NELI. Aye, well, why didn't she come in whatever?
HUGH. [Whispering.] I locked the door, Neli, so I could finish readin' those essays whatever! An' then she looked in at the window, an' I had to get under the table.
NELI. [Indignantly.] Locked the door against a customer, an' after all I said! An' crawled under a table! Hugh Williams, your wits are goin' quite on the downfall!
HUGH. [In a whisper.] Aye, but Neli, those essays—an' I thought ye had gone to market.
NELI. I had started, but I came back for my purse. Put down that book!
HUGH. Aye, but, Neli——
NELI. [Angrily.] Much less of heaven an' much more of earth is what I need in a husband! Ye have sent away a customer; very like Mrs. Jones the Wash after soap will go elsewhere.
HUGH. Aye, but Neli....