Rose. [Putting her hand to her head.] The new maid.  A stupid country wench.

Robert.  You’ve got my meaning wrong.  ’Tis that I’ve never seen you look so well before.

Rose.  O dear Robert!

Robert.  You’ve got my fancy more than ever, Rose.

Rose.  O, I’m so happy to be going off with you to-morrow, and I love it down at Bristol.  Robert, I’m tired and sick of country life.

Robert.  We’ll make a grand fine lady of you there, Rose.

Rose. [A little sharply.] Am I not one in looks already, Robert?

Robert.  You’re what I do dote upon.  I can’t say no more.

[Lubin and Isabel enter carrying dishes, which they set upon the table.  Robert and rose turn their backs to them and look out into the garden.  The staircase door is opened, and Liz, Jane and Kitty come into the room.  Liz and Jane are wearing gaudy caps trimmed with violet and green ribbons.

Rose.  We’ll sit down, now.  John won’t be a moment before he’s here.

[She sits down at one end of the table and signs to Robert to place himself next to her.  The sisters and Kitty seat themselves.  John comes hurriedly in.

John.  That’s right.  Everyone in their places?  But no cover laid for Mary?

Rose. [Carelessly.] We can soon have one put, should she take it into her head to drop in.

John.  That’s it.  Now ladies, now Robert—­’tis thirsty work a-driving upon the Bristol road at midsummer.  We’ll lead off with a drink of home-made cider.  The eating’ll come sweeter afterwards.

Robert.  That’s it, Miller.

[Lubin and Isabel come forward and take the cider mugs from each place to the side table, where Lubin fills them from a large jug.  In the mugs of rose-Anna and Robert, Isabel shakes the contents of the little packets.  Whilst they are doing this the following talk is carried on at the table.

Liz [Taking up a spoon.] Real plated, sister.

Jane.  Upon my word, so ’tis.

Rose.  And not so bright as I should wish to see it neither.  I’ve had a sad trouble with my maids of late.

Liz.  Sister and I don’t keep none of them, thank goodness.

Jane.  We does our work with our own hands.  We’d be ashamed if ’twas otherwise.

Robert. [Scowling at them.] I’ve been and engaged a house-full of servants for Rose-Anna.  She shall know what ’tis to live like a lady once she enters our family.

John.  Servants be like green fly on the bush.  They do but spoil th’ home and everything they do touch.  All save one.

Kitty.  And that one’s Jerry, I suppose.