Grandmother.  You might curtsey to the gentleman, Susan.

Lord Cullen.  No—­there’s no need of that, from her to me. [Turning to Jockie and putting his hand in his pocket.] Here, my boy, is a golden pound for you—­and more shall follow later.

[He then takes Susan’s hand and leads her to the foot of the dais.

Lord Cullen.  Will you dance for me again, Susan?

Several of the girls. [Mockingly.] Princess Royal is her name.

Marion. [Rudely.] Or Princess Rags.

Susan.  ’Tis all took out of my hands now, I can but do as your lordship says.  Jockie, play me my music, and play it bravely too.

[Jockie places himself near her and begins to play.  Susan dances by herself.  At the end of her dance lord Cullen leads the applause, and even the ladies on the dais join faintly in it.  He then takes Susan by the hand and mounts the dais with her and presents her to his mother.

Lady Cullen. [Aside, to her companion.] I wonder if the young person understands that my poor boy is a little touched in the brain?

Lord Cullen.  Here is your daughter, mother.

[Lady Cullen and Susan look at one another in silence.  After a moment Susan turns to lord Cullen.

Susan.  I’m a poor ragged thing to be daughter to the likes of she.  But the heart within of me is grander nor that of any queen, because of the love that it holds for you, my lord.

[Lord Cullen takes her hand and leads her to the front of the dais.

Lord Cullen.  We will be married to-morrow, my princess.  And all these good people shall dance at our wedding.

Marion. [Springing up.] And we’ll do a bit of dancing now as well.  Come, Jockie, give us the tune of “Haste to the Wedding.”

Rose.  That’s it.  Come girls —

Lady Millicent. [To Alice.] I pray he won’t find out about me.

[The old grandmother has come slowly towards the middle of the green.

Grandmother.  Ah, and my little wench will know how to pay back some of the vipers tongues which slandered her, when she sits on her velvet chair as a countess, the diamonds a-trickling from her neck and the rubies a-crowning of her head.  Her’ll not forget the snakes what did lie in the grass.  Her’ll have her heel upon they, so that their heads be put low and there shan’t go no more venom from their great jaws to harm she, my pretty lamb—­my little turtle.

[The music begins to play and all those on the green form themselves for the dance.  Lord Cullen and Susan stand side by side in front of the dais, and the grandmother lights a pipe and smokes it as she watches the dance from below.  At the end of the dance lord Cullen, leading Susan, comes down from the dais and, followed by lady Cullen and her ladies, passes between two lines of girls and so off the stage.  The girls follow in procession, and lastly the grandmother preceded by Jockie, beating his drum.