Crofts [contemptuously] Yah! [He turns away again].

Frank [rising] Mrs Warren:  I cannot give my Vivie up, even for your sake.

Mrs Warren [muttering] Young scamp!

Frank [continuing] And as you no doubt intend to hold out other prospects to her, I shall lose no time in placing my case before her. [They stare at him; and he begins to declaim gracefully] He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, That dares not put it to the touch, To gain or lose it all.

[The cottage doors open whilst he is reciting; and Vivie and Praed come in.  He breaks off.  Praed puts his hat on the dresser.  There is an immediate improvement in the company’s behavior.  Crofts takes down his legs from the settle and pulls himself together as Praed joins him at the fireplace.  Mrs Warren loses her ease of manner and takes refuge in querulousness.]

Mrs Warren.  Wherever have you been, Vivie?

Vivie [taking off her hat and throwing it carelessly on the table] On the hill.

Mrs Warren.  Well, you shouldn’t go off like that without letting me know.  How could I tell what had become of you?  And night coming on too!

Vivie [going to the door of the kitchen and opening it, ignoring her mother] Now, about supper? [All rise except Mrs Warren] We shall be rather crowded in here, I’m afraid.

Mrs Warren.  Did you hear what I said, Vivie?

Vivie [quietly] Yes, mother. [Reverting to the supper difficulty] How many are we? [Counting] One, two, three, four, five, six.  Well, two will have to wait until the rest are done:  Mrs Alison has only plates and knives for four.

Praed. Oh, it doesn’t matter about me.  I—­

Vivie.  You have had a long walk and are hungry, Mr Praed:  you shall have your supper at once.  I can wait myself.  I want one person to wait with me.  Frank:  are you hungry?

Frank.  Not the least in the world.  Completely off my peck, in fact.

Mrs Warren [to Crofts] Neither are you, George.  You can wait.

Crofts.  Oh, hang it, I’ve eaten nothing since tea-time.  Can’t Sam do it?

Frank.  Would you starve my poor father?

Rev.  S. [testily] Allow me to speak for myself, sir.  I am perfectly willing to wait.

Vivie [decisively] There’s no need.  Only two are wanted. [She opens the door of the kitchen].  Will you take my mother in, Mr Gardner. [The parson takes Mrs Warren; and they pass into the kitchen.  Praed and Crofts follow.  All except Praed clearly disapprove of the arrangement, but do not know how to resist it.  Vivie stands at the door looking in at them].  Can you squeeze past to that corner, Mr Praed:  it’s rather a tight fit.  Take care of your coat against the white-wash:  that right.  Now, are you all comfortable?