Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 50

JULIA. You can go on working, John. I am not hindering you.

JOHN. No more than one of they old Juney bettels a-roaring and a- buzzin round a man's head.

JULIA. Now, John--you must tell me which of the two it is. Is it Laura whom your master loves, or Julia?

JOHN. 'Tis Julia, then, since you will have it out of me.

JULIA. No, John, you're not looking straight at me. You are looking down at the flower bed. Let your eyes meet mine.

JOHN. [Looking up crossly.] I've got my work to think of. I'm not one to stand cackling with a maid.

JULIA. Could you swear me it is Julia?

JOHN. 'Tis naught to I which of you it be. There bide over, so as I can get the watering finished.

JULIA. [Seizes the watering can.] Now, John, you have got to speak the truth to me.

JOHN. Give up yon can, I tell you. O you do act wonderful unseemly for a young lady.

JULIA. [Withholding the can.] Not till I have the truth from you.

JOHN. [Angrily.] Well then, is it likely that my master would set his fancy on such a plaguy, wayward maid? Why, Master William do know better nor to do such a thing, I can tell you.

JULIA. Then 'tis for Laura that he is love-sick, John.

JOHN. Give I the watering can.

JULIA. [Giving him the can.] Here it is, dear John. O I had a fancy all the time that 'twas to Laura your master had lost his heart. And now I see I made no mistake.

JOHN. I shouldn't have spoke as I did if you hadn't a buzzed around I till I was drove very nigh crazy. Master William, he'll never forgive me this.

JULIA. That he will, I'm sure, when he has listened to what I have got to say to him.

JOHN. You do set a powerful store on what your tongue might say, but I'd take and bide quiet at home if I was you and not come hunting of a nice reasonable gentleman like master, out of his very garden.

JULIA. O John, you're a sad, ill-natured man, and you misjudge me very unkindly. But I'll not bear malice if you will just run in and tell your master that I want a word with him.

JOHN. A word? Why not say fifty? When was a maid ever satisfied with one word I'd like to know?

JULIA. Well--I shan't say more than six, very likely, so fetch him to me now, John, and I'll wait here in the garden. [JOHN looks at her with exasperated contempt. Then he slowly walks away towards the house. JULIA goes in the opposite direction to the garden gate.

JULIA. [Calling.] Chris! [CHRIS comes in.

JULIA. [Pointing.] O Chris, look at this fine garden--and yon arbour--see the fine house, with lace curtains to the windows of it.

CHRIS. [Sullenly.] Ah--I sees it all very well.

JULIA. And all this could be mine for the stretching out of a hand.

CHRIS. Then stretch it.

JULIA. 'Twould be like putting a wild bird into a gilded cage, to set me here in this place. No, I must go free with you, Chris--and we will wander where our spirits lead us--over all the world if we have a mind to do so.

CHRIS. Please G.o.d you'll not grieve at your choice.

JULIA. That I never shall. Now call to Laura. Is she in the lane outside?

CHRIS. There, she be come to the gate now.

[LAURA comes in, followed by NAT and TANSIE.

JULIA. [Pointing to a place on the ground.] Laura, see, here is the place from which your young carrots were pulled.

LAURA. O look at the flowers, Julia--Lillies, pinks and red roses.

JULIA. 'Tis a fine red rose that shall be gathered for you presently, Laura. [JOHN comes up.

JOHN. The master's very nigh ready now, mistress.

[SUSAN follows him.

SUSAN. The mistress says, please to be seated till she do come.

JOHN. [To CHRIS and NAT.] Now, my men, we don't want the likes of you in here. You had best get off afore Master William catches sight of you.

JULIA. No, John. These are my friends, and I wish them to hear all that I have to say to your master.

JOHN. Ah, 'tis in the grave as poor Master William will be landed soon if you don't have a care.

LAURA. [Anxiously.] O is he so delicate as that, John?

JOHN. Ah--and that he be. And these here love matters and courtings and foolishness have very nigh done for he. I don't give him but a week longer if things do go on as they be now.

[WILLIAM and MRS. GARDNER come in. WILLIAM looks nervously round him. MRS. GARDNER perceives the gipsies, and SUSAN talking to NAT.

MRS. GARDNER. Susan, get you to your place in the kitchen, as quick as you can. John, put yon roadsters through the gate, if you please.

[Turning to JULIA.] Now young Miss?

JULIA. A very good evening to you, mistress. And let me make Chris known to you for he and I are to be wed to-morrow.

[She takes CHRIS by the hand and leads him forward.

MRS. GARDNER. What's this? William, do you understand what the young person is telling us?

JULIA. [Taking LAURA with her other hand.] And here is Laura to whom I have given all my land and all my money. She is the mistress of Luther's now.

JOHN. [Aside to WILLIAM.] Now master, hearken to that. Can't you lift your spirits a bit.