Lio. I never noticed a girl before.
Lady H. (archly). Where have your eyes been?
Lio. Dreaming, I guess. I feel as if I had just awakened to all the beauty and joy there is in the world!
Lady H. Alas! and I feel as if I have already learned how shallow are all earthly joys! (Pensively.)
Lio. Poor little maid! You have had too hard a life. Such service has burdened you with care too soon. Here you will never again have to labor beyond your strength. I would myself do all disagreeable tasks rather than require them of you.
Lady H. Oh, I am a good-for-nothing. I never did a real day's work in all my life.
Lio. You must not scold yourself. Martha is my servant now, and I would not exchange her for a dozen others.
Lady H. But can you not see that I am not worth my salt? I shall only be an expense to you. I cannot earn a shilling a week. See my hands. (Shows them.) Do they look like useful members?
Lio. (takes them in his hands). So white and soft! Surely never servant before had such pretty fingers. Not a spot of toil!
Lady H. And so of course they are of no use to you, and you will not keep me here any longer. You will let them go—this useless pair of hands?