Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 68

MARY. You'll have Kitty to do for you then.

JOHN. Kitty be going to live along of them at Bristol too, after a while.

MARY. [Looking round the room.] Then I count as it might feel a bit desolate like in this great house alone.

JOHN. [Taking MARY'S hand.] I cannot face it, Mary. I've loved you many years, you know.

MARY. I know you have, dear John.

JOHN. Can't you forget he what was false to you, days gone by, and take me as your husband now?

MARY. [Doubtfully.] I don't hardly know.

JOHN. You used to sing sommat--the gra.s.s that was trampled under foot, give it time, it will rise up again.

MARY. [Drying her eyes.] Ah, it has risen, dear John--and I count it have covered the wound of those past days--my heart do tell me so, this minute.

JOHN. [Holding both her hands.] Then 'tis one long midsummer afore you and me, Mary.

MARY. That's how 'twill be, dear John.

[JEREMY, followed by the cousins, enters. He holds a bunch of leaves towards MARY.

JEREMY. There you be, mistress. Fools' drink for fools. A mug of good cider would have fetched them to their senses quicker.

[MARY takes the bunch, and still holding JOHN'S hand, leads him to the kitchen. JEREMY watches the pair sarcastically.

JEREMY. 'Tis all finished with the master, then.

[The sisters seat themselves on the couch and mop their faces with handkerchiefs.

LIZ. Dear me, 'tis warm.

JANE. I hope my face don't show mottled, sister?

JEREMY. I was saying as how 'twas all finished with the master.

[MARY, followed by JOHN, comes forward carrying two gla.s.ses. She gives one to ROSE and the other to ROBERT.

MARY. Now do you take a good draught of this, the both of you. With violet leaves the fever of the mind is calmed, and heartsease lightens every trouble caused by love. Rosemary do put new life to anyone with its sweetness, and cold spring water does the rest.

[She leaves the table and stands far back in the room by JOHN'S side.

ROSE slowly lifts her gla.s.s and begins to drink. ROBERT does the same. They are watched with anxiety by all in the room. When they have emptied their gla.s.ses ROSE dries her tears and pushes the flowers a little way from her. ROBERT shakes himself and moves the cotton bonnet so that it falls unheeded to the floor. Meanwhile KITTY has come quietly to the garden door and stands there watching the scene intently.

LIZ. Bain't we going to get a drink too?

JANE. Seems as though master have been and forgot we.

JEREMY. [Starting up and going to the kitchen.] If I've been and forgot you two old women, I've remembered myself. Be blowed if I can get through any more of this foolishness without a wet of my mouth.

[He goes out.

ROSE. [Speaking faintly.] Does it show upon my face, the crying, Robert?

ROBERT. [Looking at her.] No, no, Rose, your eyes be brighter nor ever they were.

ROSE. [Pushing the forget-me-nots yet further away.] Those flowers are dying. My fancy ones were best.

KITTY. [Coming forward with the orange blossoms.] Here they are, dear Rose.

ROSE. [Taking them.] O how beautiful they do look. I declare I can smell the sweetness coming out from them, Robert.

ROBERT. All the orange blossom in the world bain't so sweet as one kiss from your lips, Rose.

ROSE. Now is that truly so?

ROBERT. Ah, 'tis heavy work a-waiting for the coach, Rose.

JOHN. [Coming forward and taking MARY'S hand.] And yours won't be the only marriage Rose-Anna. Did you never think that me and Mary might -

KITTY. [Running forward.] But I did--O so many times, John.

[JEREMY enters with LUBIN and ISABEL.

JEREMY. Servants be comed back. Man was to the Red Bull, I count.

Female a-washing and a-combing of herself in the barn.

ROSE. [Coldly.] I don't care whether they be here or not. Set them to work, Jerry, whilst we are to church.

LIZ. That's it, Master Jeremy. I was never so put out in my life, as when sister did keep on ringing and the wench was not there to help us on with our gowns.

[ROSE and ROBERT get up and go towards the door. They pause before LUBIN and ISABEL.

ROSE. The man puts me in mind of someone whom I knew before, called Lubin. I thought I had a fancy for him once--but 'twasn't really so.

ROBERT. And the girl do favour a little servant wench from Framilode.

ROSE. [Jealously.] You never went a-courting with a servant wench, now did you, my heart's dearest?

ROBERT. Never in all my days, Rose. 'Twas but the fanciful thoughts of a boy towards she, that I had.

ROSE. [Putting her arm in ROBERT'S.] Well, we have nothing to do with anything more of it now, dear Robert.

ROBERT. You're about right, my true love, we'll get us off to the church.

JEREMY. Ah, coach have been waiting a smartish while, I reckon.

'Tis on master as expense'll fall.

[ROSE and ROBERT with cold glances at LUBIN and ISABEL, pa.s.s out of the door.