Isabel. [Pressing her eyes with her apron.] What’ll it be for me when Robert comes in?

Lubin.  We’ll have to help one another, Isabel, in the plight where we stand.

Isabel.  That’s it.  And perchance as them seeds’ll do the rest.

[They spring apart as a sound of voices and laughter is heard outside.

Kitty. [Runs in.] They’ve come.  All of them.  And do you know that Robert’s cousins are no fine ladies at all, as he said, but just two common old women dressed grand-like.

Isabel.  That will be a sad shock to poor mistress.

Kitty.  O, she is too much taken up with Mister Robert to notice yet.  But quick!  They are all sharp set from the drive.  Fetch in the dishes, William and Lucy.

Isabel.  All shall be ready in a moment, Miss Kitty.

[She goes hurriedly out followed by Lubin.  Kitty glances round the room and then stands at the side of the front door.  John, giving an arm to each of Robert’s cousins, enters.  The cousins are dressed in coloured flowered dresses, and wear bonnets that are heavy with bright plumes.  They look cumbered and ill at ease in their clothes, and carry their sunshades and gloves awkwardly.

Liz. [Looking round her.] Very comfortable, I’m sure.  But I count as that there old-fashioned grate do take a rare bit of elbow grease.

Jane.  Very pleasant indeed.  But I didn’t reckon as the room would be quite the shape as ’tis.

Liz.  Come to that, I didn’t expect the house to look as it do.

Jane.  Very ancient in appearance, I’m sure.

John.  Ah, the house has done well enough for me and my father and grandfather afore me.

[Rose, very grandly dressed, comes in hanging on Robert’s arm.  Robert is clothed in the fashion of the town.

Rose.  Please to remove your bonnet, Miss Eliza.  Please to remove yours, Miss Jane.

John. [Heartily.] Ah, that’s so—­’Twill be more homely like for eating.

Rose.  There’s a glass upon the wall.

Liz.  I prefer to remain as I be.

Jane.  Sister and me have our caps packed up in the tin box.

Kitty. [Bringing the tin box from the doorway.] Shall I take you upstairs to change?  Dinner’s not quite ready yet.

Liz.  That will suit us best, I’m sure.  Come, sister.

[Kitty leads the way out, followed by both sisters.

John.  I’ll just step outside and see that Jerry’s tending to the horse.

[He hurries out, and Robert is left alone with rose.

Rose. [Coming towards him and holding out her hands.] O, Robert, is it the same between us as it was last time?

Robert. [Looking at her critically.] You’ve got your hair different or something.