Girl (speaks). There, there, old gentleman, don't feel so bad over a bit of our fun!
(Sheriff ducks to avoid kiss and leaves wig in her hands. He runs wildly about stage, clutching alternately at his bald head, and at the wig, which the girls toss back and forth, while he tries to snatch it. Finally one of the farmers catches it and restores it to sheriff. He puts it on and some one brings him his hat.)
Farmer (speaks). Young hussies, you must do better than this when you get to working for us. Behave yourselves, now!
Sheriff (much distressed, almost weeping with rage). I bind you all over to keep the peace on penalty of 10 shillings fine. (Pounds with his staff.) Does the majesty of the law mean naught to ye? Silence (they laugh), you low bred populace. But what can one expect from populace? Pah! They are beneath my notice. (Looks scornfully at them while music begins. A girl laughingly sticks out her tongue at him. He glares at her. She does it again. He looks hastily away and then back. She throws him a kiss, and all the rest follow suit. He scowls, but his face gradually softens into a smirk. The farmers drag the girls back into a line. Sheriff unrolls a parchment, that he takes from pocket of his big gown. He sings.)
[No. 6.]
Sheriff. We, Anne, Queen of England, greet ye!
(Snatches off his hat, farmers do the same.) Bonnets off, and mine likewise.
I no ceremony spare!
We hereby do recognize
Ev'ry contract good and sound
Made in Richmond market bound;
Every lass who here is hired,
Dating from this very day,
Till the year is full expired,
Must with her new master stay.
If he pay the money down
The bargain cannot be undone.
Have you heard?
Cho. We know, sir, it is so, sir.
Sher. Now you stand up in a row.
(Servants stand in line; he arranges them.)
Tell us, Moll, what you can do.