Martha Part 13

PLUN. Kind, I? I was kindness itself! I was _too_ kind! I _killed_ her with kindness!

NAN. Well, that's the trouble, then. A girl needs a good firm upstanding sort of a way, to keep her in her place. Don't be too easy,--take my advice. But tell me about your servant.

PLUN. O, I don't know as she was so much, after all. But I found her amusing. She was a well-meaning sort of creature, and rather good looking, but she couldn't do a thing! She could not knit or spin, she could only laugh and joke.--But ignorant as she was, she knew one thing.

NAN. What was that?

PLUN. How to make me miss her!

NAN. Perhaps she misses you!

PLUN. (_starts toward her_). Nancy--my little Betsy Ann!

NAN. And though she does not know the things you say, though she is a poor silly creature who never did a useful thing in all her life--could she not learn?

PLUN. Don't torment me, girl. Do you mean what you say?

NAN. (_laughing at him_). Certainly I mean it. What clever girl could not learn those things--if she really--

PLUN. Really--what?--

NAN. O, if it were worth while!

PLUN. O Nancy, is it worth while?--But no, we must not think of ourselves while Lionel is in such a state--my poor Lionel!

Until he is right again my home is his.

NAN. (_walking off a little stiffly_). O, keep your old home! n.o.body wants it!

PLUN. (_goes after her and speaks in her ear_). I mean to keep it--and you!

NAN. If you can!

PLUN. I can. A voice whispers in my heart!

NAN. What is the voice that whispers in your heart?

PLUN. It is the voice of love.

(LADY H. _returns in peasant costume. She goes up to the groups of farmers and begins to arrange them in the old order. Speaks._)

LADY H. Arrange everything just as it was before. Bring the big chair for the sheriff. Don't look at Lionel. Pretend to be all occupied with the business of the day.

NAN. (_looking off_). Here he comes, with his sad and gentle look.

Sing to him, my lady.

(_Music begins with_ NANCY'S _speech_. LADY H. _sings_.)

NO. 20.

LADY H. Now the April day returning Girds the earth with living green; As the moon shines clearer, fairer, Spring's new loveliness is seen.

Laughing flowers that gem the meadows, With the stars in beauty vie, While the nightingale with singing, Tells his love to earth and sky.

LIO. Heaven! Martha's singing!

LADY H. (_approaches him timidly_). See, 'tis Martha.

CHO. See, he knows her! Sadly, but mildly Meets her glances And our advances.

(LIONEL _moves about among the supposed servants in wonderment_.)

(NANCY _steps from among them_.)

NAN. Now hither troop both young and old The village clock the hour has told!

I can darn, sir, I can sew, sir, I can milk and I can mow, sir, I can bake and mend and make, And garden beds can hoe and rake.

CHO. Yes, I can clean, sir, I can scrub, sir, I'm a good one at the tub, sir (_etc., as before_).

PLUN. (_to_ LIONEL). Come, this way, We'll choose a servant; Come with me.

LIO. (_pa.s.ses his hand over his brow in bewilderment_).

O, what is it?

PLUN. Why, the servants Who at Richmond market gather.

Come, then, choose which one you'd rather.

(_They approach_ LADY HARRIET _and_ NANCY. LIONEL _stands and gazes at_ LADY H. _He speaks._)

LIO. (_perplexed_). Martha, Martha! Is it you? Tell me that this is indeed you! Tell me that it is no dream. We are together at last!

LADY H. Lionel, I am Martha, and your humble, loving servant. You know what has come to you, fortune and a splendid name. But before I knew of this, my heart repented. I was ready to go to you in your prison and claim you as my love. Then you were set free without my aid--O wretched, cruel girl that I was! Lionel, I am fairly punished for my worldly pride, my cruel impulse.

But life is hard for girls. Think how they might all have scorned me if I confessed to having been a servant! But now I care for nothing--only you.

LIO. Let all the past be forgotten. Joy smiles at last. At last my dreams have all come true.

PLUN. (_to_ NANCY). And what can you do, you useless bit of baggage?

NANCY (_hums_). I can cook, sir, I can bake, sir,--

PLUN. (_laughing_). You are jesting. You are my own little good-for-nothing.

NAN. If my master is obstinate--I can bring him to reason.

PLUN. You will suit me, after all. You will make an excellent farmer's wife. Come along.

NAN. There! (_She boxes his ear._) Take that as an earnest.

LADY H. _sings_.