Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 25

ROBIN. [To CLARA.] Do you think Aunt has got sommat for us upstairs, Joan?

CLARA. [Rising and putting down her work.] I know she has, Robin.

EMILY. Don't let me catch you speaking to Master Spring as though you and he was of the same station, young person.

CLARA. Master Robin, and Miss Jessie, I will go upstairs and fetch the gifts that your aunt has brought for you.

[She goes leisurely towards the staircase door, smiling at the children.

EMILY. Ah, and you may tell your young madam that 'tis high time as she was out of bed and abroad. Hear that? [CLARA goes out.

JESSIE. I like her. She speaks so gentle. Not like Aunt.

EMILY. She's a stuck up sort of fine lady herself like. Look at the hands of her, 'tis not a day's hard work as they have done in her life, I'll warrant.

ROBIN. What will she bring us from out of the great boxes, do you think?

EMILY. Sommat what you don't need, I warrant. 'Tis always so. When folks take it into their heads to give you aught, 'tis very nigh always sommat which you could do better without.

[EMILY gets up and begins settling the pots on the fire, and fetching a jug of cold water from the back kitchen and a knife which she lays on the table.

[CLARA enters carrying some parcels. She brings them to the table.

Both the children run to her.

CLARA. [Holding out a long parcel to EMILY and speaking to the children.] The first is for your mother, children.

EMILY. [With an angry exclamation.] Now, you mark my words, 'twill be sommat as I shall want to fling over the hedge for all the use 'twill be.

[She comes near, opens the parcel and perceives it to be a length of rich black silk.

CLARA. My mistress thought it might be suitable.

EMILY. Suitable? I'll suitable her. When shall my two hands find time to sew me a gown out of it, I'd like to know? And if 'twas sewn, when would my limbs find time to sit down within of it?

[Flinging it down on the table.] Suitable? You can tell your mistress from me as she can keep her gifts to herself if she can't do better nor this.

JESSIE. [Stroking the silk.] O Mother, the feel of it be softer nor a dove's feather.

ROBIN. [Feeling it too.] 'Tis better nor the new kittens' fur.

EMILY. Let us see if your aunt have done more handsomely towards you children.

CLARA. I am afraid not. These coral beads are for Miss Jessie, with her aunt's dear love. And this book of pictures is for Master Robin.

JESSIE. [Seizing the beads with delight.] I love a string of beads.

[Putting them on.] How do they look on me?

EMILY. Off with them this moment. I'll learn her to give strings of rubbish to my child.

JESSIE. [Beginning to cry.] O do let me wear it just a little while, just till dinner, Mother.

EMILY. Have done with that noise. Off with it at once, do you hear.

JESSIE. [Taking the necklace off.] I love the feel of it--might I keep it in my hand then?

EMILY. [Seizing it.] 'Twill be put by with the silk dress. So there. 'Tis not a suitable thing for a little girl like you.

ROBIN. [Looking up from the pages of his book.] No one shan't take my book from me. There be pictures of great horses and sheep and cows in it--and no one shan't hide it from me.

EMILY. [Putting the silk dress and necklace on another table.] Next time your aunt wants to throw her money into the gutter I hope as she'll ask me to come and see her a-doing of it.

JESSIE. [Coming up to CLARA very tearfully.] And was there naught for Dad in the great box?

CLARA. Perhaps there may be.

ROBIN. And did Aunt Clara bring naught for Georgie?

CLARA. I don't know.

JESSIE. Poor Georgie. He never has nothing gived him.

ROBIN. And Mother puts the worst of the bits on his plate at dinner.

EMILY. [Sharply.] Look you here, young woman. Suppose you was to take and do something useful with that idle pair of hands as you've got.

CLARA. Yes, mistress, I should like to help you in something.

EMILY. Us knows what fine promises lead to.

CLARA. But I mean it. Do let me help a little.

EMILY. See them taters?

CLARA. Yes.

EMILY. Take and peel and wash them and get them ready against when I wants to cook them.

CLARA. [A little doubtfully.] Yes--I'll--I'll try -

EMILY. Ah, 'tis just as I thought. You're one of them who would stir the fire with a silver spoon rather nor black their hands with the poker.

CLARA. [Eagerly.] No, no--it isn't that. I'll gladly do them.

Come, Miss Jessie, you will shew me if I do them wrongly, won't you?

JESSIE. O yes, I'll help you because I like you, Joan.

ROBIN. I'll help too, when I have finished looking at my book.

[EMILY goes out. CLARA sits down by the table and takes up a potato and the knife and slowly and awkwardly sets to work. JESSIE stands by her watching.