Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 30

MILES. Now I thought as much. I flatter myself that we can hold our own with the best of them in Painswick High Street.

JOAN. I seem to smell the very scent of the blossoms, Mister Hooper.

[She puts out her hand shyly and takes the spray from MILES, pretending to smell it.

MILES. Well--and what's the next pleasure, Madam?

[JOAN drops the spray and begins to fan herself violently.

MILES. [Very gently.] What's Missy's next pleasure?

JOAN. I'm sure I don't know, Mr. Miles.

MILES. Miles Hooper would like Missy to ask for all that is his.

JOAN. O, Mister Hooper, how kind you are.

MILES. Ladies never like the sound of business, so we'll set that aside for a moment and discuss the music of the heart in place of it.

JOAN. Ah, that's a thing I do well understand, Mister Hooper.

MILES. I loved you from the first, Miss. There's the true, high born lady for you, says I to myself. There's beauty and style, elegance and refinement.

JOAN. Now, did you really think all that, Mister Hooper?

MILES. Do not keep me in suspense, Miss Clara.

JOAN. What about, sir?

MILES. The answer to my question, Missy.

JOAN. And what was that, I wonder?

MILES. I want my pretty Miss to take the name of Hooper. Will she oblige her Miles?

JOAN. O that I will. With all my heart.

MILES. [Standing up.] I would not spoil this moment, but by and bye my sweet Missy shall tell me all the particulars of her income, and such trifles.

JOAN. [Agitatedly.] O let us not destroy to-day by thoughts of anything but our dear affection one for t'other.

MILES. Why, my pretty town Miss is already becoming countrified in her speech.

JOAN. 'Tis from hearing all the family. But, dear Miles, promise there shan't be nothing but--but love talk between you and me this day. I could not bear it if we was to speak of, of other things, like.

MILES. [Getting up and walking about the room.] As you will--as you will. Anything to oblige a lady.

[He stops before the table, on which is laid EMILY'S silk dress, and begins to finger it.

JOAN. What's that you're looking at?

MILES. Ten or fifteen shillings the yard, and not a penny under, I'll be bound.

JOAN. O do come and talk to me again and leave off messing with the old silk.

MILES. No, no, Missy, I'm a man of business habits, and 'tis my duty to go straight off to the meadow and seek out brother Thomas. He and I have got to talk things over a bit, you know.

JOAN. Off so soon! O you have saddened me.

MILES. Nay, what is it to lose a few minutes of sweet company, when life is in front of us, Miss Clara?

[He raises her hand, kisses it, and leaves her. As he goes out by the door CLARA enters.

JOAN. O, Mistress--stop him going down to Farmer Thomas at the meadow!

CLARA. Why, Joan, what has happened?

JOAN. All has happened. But stop him going to the farmer to talk about the--the wedding and the money.

CLARA. The money?

JOAN. The income which he thinks I have.

CLARA. I'll run, but all this time I've been keeping Master Luke Jenner quiet in the parlour.

JOAN. O what does he want now?

CLARA. Much the same as the other one wanted.

JOAN. Must I see him?

CLARA. Yes, indeed he will wait no longer for his answer. He's at boiling point already.

JOAN. Then send him in. But do you run quickly, Miss Clara, and keep Miles Hooper from the farmer.

CLARA. I'll run my best, never fear. [She goes out.

[LUKE JENNER comes in, a bunch of homely flowers in his hand.

JOAN. [Seating herself.] You are early this morning, Mister Jenner.

LUKE. [Sitting opposite to her.] I have that to say which would not bide till sunset, Miss Clara.

JOAN. Indeed, Mister Jenner. I wonder what that can be.

LUKE. 'Tis just like this, Miss Clara. The day I first heard as you was coming down here--"I could do with a rich wife if so be as I could win her," I did tell myself.

JOAN. O, Mister Jenner, now did you really?