John.  Mary, I never thought to see such a thing as this.

Mary.  You take my word for it, John, the storm will soon be blown away.

John.  I don’t know how I should stand up against the worry of it all, wasn’t it for you, Mary.

[A short silence.

John. [Taking Mary’s hand.] ’Twill be a bit lonesome for me here, when they’ve gone off, Mary.

Mary.  You’ll have Kitty to do for you then.

John.  Kitty be going to live along of them at Bristol too, after a while.

Mary. [Looking round the room.] Then I count as it might feel a bit desolate like in this great house alone.

John. [Taking Mary’s hand.] I cannot face it, Mary.  I’ve loved you many years, you know.

Mary.  I know you have, dear John.

John.  Can’t you forget he what was false to you, days gone by, and take me as your husband now?

Mary. [Doubtfully.] I don’t hardly know.

John.  You used to sing sommat—­the grass that was trampled under foot, give it time, it will rise up again.

Mary. [Drying her eyes.] Ah, it has risen, dear John—­and I count it have covered the wound of those past days—­my heart do tell me so, this minute.

John. [Holding both her hands.] Then ’tis one long midsummer afore you and me, Mary.

Mary.  That’s how ’twill be, dear John.

[Jeremy, followed by the cousins, enters.  He holds a bunch of leaves towards Mary.

Jeremy.  There you be, mistress.  Fools’ drink for fools.  A mug of good cider would have fetched them to their senses quicker.

[Mary takes the bunch, and still holding john’s hand, leads him to the kitchen.  Jeremy watches the pair sarcastically.

Jeremy.  ’Tis all finished with the master, then.

[The sisters seat themselves on the couch and mop their faces with handkerchiefs.

Liz.  Dear me, ’tis warm.

Jane.  I hope my face don’t show mottled, sister?

Jeremy.  I was saying as how ’twas all finished with the master.

[Mary, followed by John, comes forward carrying two glasses.  She gives one to rose and the other to Robert.

Mary.  Now do you take a good draught of this, the both of you.  With violet leaves the fever of the mind is calmed, and heartsease lightens every trouble caused by love.  Rosemary do put new life to anyone with its sweetness, and cold spring water does the rest.

[She leaves the table and stands far back in the room by john’s side.  Rose slowly lifts her glass and begins to drink.  Robert does the same.  They are watched with anxiety by all in the room.  When they have emptied their glasses rose dries her tears and pushes the flowers a little way from her.  Robert shakes himself and moves the cotton bonnet so that it falls unheeded to the floor.  Meanwhile Kitty has come quietly to the garden door and stands there watching the scene intently.