Chapter XXI: Act II: Scene 1

_The living room at Daniel’s Mill_. _In the window_ ROSE-ANNA _is seated awkwardly sewing some bright ribbons on to a muslin gown_. KITTY _is moving about rapidly dusting chairs and ornaments which are in disorder about the room and_ JOHN _stands with his back to the grate gravely surveying them_.

ROSE. [_Petulantly_.] Whatever shall we do, John! Me not dressed, everything no how, and them expected in less nor a half hour’s time?

KITTY. There! I’ve finished a-dusting the chairs. Now I’ll set them in their places.

ROSE. No one is thinking of me! Who’s going to help me on with my gown and curl my hair like Robert was used to seeing me wear it at Aunt’s?

KITTY. Did you have it different down at Bristol, Rose?

ROSE. Of course I did. ’Twouldn’t do to be countrified in the town.

JOHN. Your hair’s well enough like that. ’Tisn’t of hair as anyone’ll be thinking when they comes in, but of victuals. And how we’re a-going to get the table and all fixed up in so short a time do fairly puzzle me.

KITTY. I’ll do the table.

ROSE. No. You’ve got to help me with my gown. O that was a good-for-nothing baggage, leaving us in the lurch!

JOHN. Well, I’ve done my best to get us out of the fix.

ROSE. And what would that be, pray?

KITTY. Why John, you’ve done nothing but stand with your back to the grate this last hour.

JOHN. I’ve sent off Jerry.

ROSE. [_Scornfully_.] Much good that’ll do.

KITTY. We know just how far Jerry will have gone.

JOHN. I told him not to shew hisself unless he could bring a couple of servants back along with him.

ROSE. [_Angrily_.] You’re more foolish than I took you to be, John. Get you off at once and fetch Jerry from his cider at the Red Bull. He’s not much of a hand about the house, but he’s better than no one.

JOHN. [_Sighing heavily_.] Jeremy’s not the man to start his drinking so early in the day.

ROSE. I’ve caught him at the cask soon after dawn.

KITTY. And so have I, John. How you put up with his independent ways I don’t know.

JOHN. Ah, ’tisn’t everyone as has such a powerful strong head as Jerry’s. He’s one that can be trusted to take his fill, and none the worse with him afterwards.

[_A knock at the door_, _which is pushed open by_ JEREMY.

JEREMY. [_From the doorway_.] Well, Master John—well, mistress?

ROSE. [_Sharply_.] Master was just starting out for to fetch you home, Jerry.

JEREMY. [_Ignoring her_.] Well, master, I’ve brought a couple back along of me.

ROSE. Ducklings or chickens?

JEREMY. I’ve gotten them too.

KITTY. Do you mean that you’ve found some servants for us, Jerry?

JEREMY. Two outside. Female and male.

JOHN. Didn’t I tell you so! There’s naught that Jerry cannot do. You’ll have a drink for this, my man

ROSE. You may take my word he’s had that already, John.

JEREMY. I have, mistress. Whilst they was a packing up the poultry in my basket. Down at the Bull.

ROSE. What sort of a maid is it?

JEREMY. Ah, ’tis for you to tell me that, mistress, when you’ve had her along of you a bit.

ROSE. And the man?

JEREMY. Much the same as any other male.

ROSE. [_Impatiently_.] Do you step outside, John, and have a look at them, and if they’re suitable bring them in and we’ll set them about their work.

[JOHN _goes out_. KITTY _peers through the window_.

JEREMY. I reckon I can go off and feed the hilts now. ’Tis the time.

ROSE. Feed the hilts! Indeed you can’t do no such thing. O I’m mad with vexation that nothing is well ordered or suitably prepared for Mr. Robert and his fine cousins from Bristol town. Whatever will they say to such a house when they do see it?

JEREMY. I’m sure I don’t know.

KITTY. [_From the window_.] I see the new servants. John is bringing them up the walk. The man’s face is hid by his broad hat, but the girl looks neat enough in her cotton gown and sun-bonnet.

[JOHN _comes into the room_, _followed by_ LUBIN _and_ ISABEL. LUBIN _shuffles off his hat_, _but holds it between his face and the people in the room_.

JEREMY. [_Pointing to them and speaking to_ ROSE.] There you are, mistress—man-servant and maid.

ROSE. What do we know about them? Folk picked up by Jerry at the Red Bull.

JEREMY. No, from the roadside.

ROSE. Worser far.

JOHN. No, no, Rose. These young persons were spoken for by Mary Meadows. And ’tis rare fortunate for we to obtain their services at short notice like this.

ROSE. [_To_ ISABEL.] What are you called, my girl?

ISABEL. [_Faintly_.] Isabel is my name, but I’d sooner you called me Lucy.

ROSE. And that I will. My tongue is used to Lucy. The other is a flighty, fanciful name for a servant.

KITTY. And what is the man called, John?

LUBIN. [_Harshly_.] I am called William.

KITTY. William and Lucy! Like the ones that ran away this morning.

ROSE. O do not let us waste any more time! Jerry, do you take the man and shew him his work in the back kitchen; and Lucy, come to me and help me with my gown and my hair dressing. We have not a minute to lose.

KITTY. They may be upon us any time now. I’ll go out and gather the flowers for the parlour, since you don’t want me any more within, Rose.

JOHN. And I’ll get and finish Jeremy’s work in the yard. ’Tis upside down and round about and no how to-day. But we’ll come out of it some time afore next year I reckon.

JEREMY. Don’t you ever go for to get married, master. There could never come a worser caddle into a man’s days nor matrimony, I count.

[JOHN, _on his way to the door_, _pauses—as though momentarily lost in thought_.

JOHN. Was Mary Meadows asked to drop in at any time to-day, Rose?

ROSE. [_Who is taking up her gown and ribbons to show to_ ISABEL, _and speaking crossly_.] I’m sure I don’t know, nor care. I’ve enough to think about as ’tis.

KITTY. [_Taking_ JOHN’S _arm playfully_.] You’re terribly took up with Mary Meadows, John.

JOHN. There isn’t many like her, Kitty. She do rear herself above t’others as—as a good wheat stalk from out the rubbish.

[JOHN _and_ KITTY _go slowly out_.

JEREMY. [_As though to himself_.] I sees as how I shall have to keep an eye on master—[_turning to_ LUBIN _and signing to him_.] But come, my man, us has no time for romance, ’tis dish washing as lies afore you now.

[LUBIN _jerks his head haughtily and makes a protesting gesture_. _Then he seems to remember himself and follows_ JEREMY _humbly from the room_. ROSE _takes up some ribbons and laces_.

ROSE. [_To_ ISABEL, _who is standing near_.] Now, Lucy, we must look sharp; Mister Robert and his cousins from Bristol town will soon be here. I have not met with the cousins yet, but I’ve been told as they’re very fine ladies—They stood in place of parents to my Robert, you know. ’Tis unfortunate we should be in such a sad muddle the day they come.

ISABEL. When I have helped you into your gown, mistress, I shall soon have the dinner spread and all in order. I be used to such work, and I’m considered spry upon my feet.

ROSE. ’Tis more serious that you should be able to curl my hair in the way that Mr. Robert likes.

ISABEL. [_Sadly_.] I don’t doubt but that I shall be able to do that too, mistress.

ROSE. Very well. Take the gown and come with me up to my room.

[_They go out together_, ISABEL _carrying the gown_.