Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 42

WILLIAM. We have kept her waiting a bit too long whilst we were cutting the green stuff. And now 'twill be best to let matters bide over till to-morrow.

JOHN. Why, master 'tis my belief as you be all of a-tremble like.

WILLIAM. I wish we were well out of this business, John. 'Tis not to my liking in any way.

JOHN. 'Tis a fine looking lady, and that 'tis. You take and court her, Master William.

WILLIAM. How am I to court the wench when she's not here?

JOHN. [Pointing.] Look yonder, master, there she comes through them dark trees.

WILLIAM. You've got to bide somewhere nigh me, John. I could not be left alone with a wench who's a stranger to me.

JOHN. Don't you get fl.u.s.tered, Master William. See here, I'll hide me ahind of yon bushes, and if so be as you should want me, why, there I'm close at hand.

WILLIAM. I'd rather you did stand at my side, John.

[JOHN hides himself behind the bushes. LAURA comes slowly up.

WILLIAM stands awkwardly before her, saying nothing. Presently he takes off his hat and salutes her clumsily and she bows to him. For some moments they stand embarra.s.sed, looking at one another.

WILLIAM. [Suddenly bringing out a bunch of carrots from his basket and holding them up.] See these young carrots, mistress.

LAURA. Indeed I do, master.

WILLIAM. 'Tisn't everywhere that you do see such fine grown ones for the time of year.

LAURA. You're right there, master. We have none of them up at our place.

WILLIAM. [Holding them towards her.] Then be pleased to accept these, mistress.

LAURA. [Taking the carrots.] Thank you kindly, master. [There is another embarra.s.sed silence. WILLIAM looks distractedly from LAURA to his basket. Then he takes out a bunch of turnips.

WILLIAM. You couldn't beat these nowhere, not if you were to try.

LAURA. I'm sure you could not, master.

WILLIAM. They do call this sort the Early s...o...b..ll. 'Tis a foolish name for a table root.

LAURA. 'Tis a beautiful turnip.

WILLIAM. [Giving her the bunch.] You may as well have them too.

LAURA. O you're very kind, master.

[There is another long silence. WILLIAM shuffles on his feet--LAURA bends admiringly over her gifts.

WILLIAM. There's young beans and peas and a spring cabbage too, within the basket. I do grow a little of most everything.

LAURA. O shall we sit down and look at the vegetables together?

WILLIAM. [Visibly relieved.] We might do worse nor that. [They sit down side by side with the basket between them.

LAURA. [Lifting the cabbage.] O, this is quite a little picture!

See how the leaves do curl backwards--so fresh and green!

WILLIAM. Ah, and that one has a rare white heart to it, it has.

LAURA. I do love the taste of a spring cabbage, when it has a slice of fat bacon along with it.

WILLIAM. I might have brought a couple of pounds with me if I'd have thought. Mother do keep some rare mellow jowls a-hanging in the pantry.

LAURA. [Shyly.] Next time, maybe.

WILLIAM. [Eagerly.] 'Twouldn't take ten minutes for me to run back.

LAURA. Not now--O no master--not now. Do you bide a little longer here and tell me about--about t'other things in the basket.

WILLIAM. [Mopping his face with a handkerchief.] Well--there's the beans--I count that yours haven't come up very smart this year.

LAURA. That they've not. The whole place has been let to run dreadful wild.

WILLIAM. I'd--I'd like to show you how 'tis in my garden, one of these days.

LAURA. I'd be very pleased to walk along with you there.

WILLIAM. [Hurriedly.] Ah--you should see it later on when the--the- -the parsnips are a bit forrarder.

LAURA. I'd like to see the flower garden now, where this nosegay came from.

WILLIAM. [Looking round uneasily.] I don't know what the folks would say if they were to see you and me a-going on the road in broad day--I'm sure I don't.

LAURA. Why, what should they say, Master Gardner?

WILLIAM. They might get saying--they might say as--as I'd got a- courting, or sommat foolish.

LAURA. Well--and would that be untrue?

WILLIAM. [Looking at her very uncomfortably.] I'm blessed if I do know--I mean -

LAURA. This nosegay--and look, those young carrots--and the turnips and beans, why did you bring them for me, master, unless it was that you intended something by it?

WILLIAM. [Very confused.] That's so. So 'tis. That's true. I count you have got hold of the sow by the ear right enough this time.

And the less said about it the better. [A slight silence.

LAURA. [Looking up shyly in WILLIAM's face.] What was it drew you to me first, master?

WILLIAM. I believe 'twas in Church on Sunday that I chanced to take notice of you, like.

LAURA. Yes, but what was it about me that took your fancy in Church on Sunday?