[A pause:  then from distance comes tumult of voices:  “Ho!  Steady there, Will Lackleather!  Have a care, Robin Wakeless!” (The voices are very faint but clear:  the sound of them coming from a long distance.)

BESS (running ahead of the others, disheveled, breathless, excited, enters, and swinging about, halloos to those who are following her, her hands held clarion-wise).  Have a care, Simon!  Look well to the Puritan!

SARAH (running to her).  Bess!  What’s here!  What’s happened?

BESS (still greatly excited).  I’ll tell thee when I catch my breath!  I’ve been in the stocks with the whole of Wollaston to gape at me.  Puritan heads a-wagging!  Puritan eyes a-staring!  And after the stocks ’twas towards the whipping-post that they were leading me!  But I’ve learned a trick or two from our lanes here at Merrymount.  I gave a sudden twist—­the constable loosened his hold—­I ran and ran!  There was not one could catch me.  And for the shaming they’ve done me they are to pay full dear.  I ran ahead to tell you.  Listen!

VOICES (coming nearer).  Easy there, Kit!  Have a care, Robin!

SARAH. 
Heaven’s mercy, Bess, what is it they’re bringing?

BESS (with a blaze of excitement and triumph).  Can you not see?  Our lads have stolen Resolute Endicott, spinning-wheel and all.

[It is soon seen that Bess speaks truly.  Mistress Endicott makes her entrance seated on a pine board that is carried between Robin Wakeless and Kit Carmel.  She is closely guarded by Jock, who marches behind.  Scarlett and Will Lackleather carry her spinning-wheel.  Faunch brings up the rear, with the Merrymount maidens following.  Joan carries a spinning-stool.

SCARLETT (as he and Lackleather set down spinning-wheel, left).  Look to your steps, Robin!  Steady there, Kit Carmel! (As Resolute stands, center, he approaches her with elaborate mocking courtesy.) Mistress, we bid you welcome to Merrymount!

ROBIN.  What will you have, Mistress Endicott?  A merry stave, a cup of cherry wine, or a maypole dance?  Speak, and we do’ your pleasure!

SCARLETT (to Sarah).  Rouse our gran’am, sister.  Sure, such a sight as this will warm her bones! (To Resolute, indicating Bess.) See!  There is one of our number who hath been royally entertained by your townsfolk.  We are minded to do the same by you! (To the others.) Come, we’ll spread a feast for Mistress Endicott.  Empty your traps, Robin!  Bring on your game, Will Lackleather!  We’ll show how Merrymount can sup when it has a mind!

JOAN (aside:  outraged).  What!  Waste our substance on a Puritan?

KIT CARMEL.  Why, lass, do you not catch Simon’s meaning?  ’Tis a rare jest to make a Puritan dance, whether she will or no.  Can you not see she would rather go straight to perdition than vouch us a word or a glance?  ’Twas a shrewd trick of Simon’s to seize her as she sat in her dooryard.  We’ll have more mirth to-day than hath been here a twelvemonth.