Old man. [Taking off his hat.] Here you are master.

[Giles hands his own hat to George.  He then takes off his coat and gives it to John.  The old man takes off his smock, Giles puts it on.

Old man.  Pull the hat well down about the face of you, master, so as the smooth skin of you be hid.

Giles. [Turning round in his disguise.] How’s that, my friends?

George.  You be a sight too straight in the back, master.

Giles. [Stooping.] I’ll soon better that.

John.  Be you a-going in them fine buckled shoes, master?

Giles.  I had forgot the shoes.  When I get near to the house ’tis barefoot that I will go.

George.  Then let us be off, master, for the’ time be running short.

John.  Ah, that ’tis.  I count it be close on noon-day now by the look of the sun.

Old man.  And heaven be with you, my young gentleman.

Giles.  My good friends, you shall go with me a little further.  And when we have come close upon the farm, you shall stop in the shelter of a wood that I know of and await the signal I shall give you.

George.  And what’ll that be, master?

Giles.  I shall blow three times, and loudly from my whistle, here.

John.  And be we to come up to the farm when we hears you?

Giles.  As quickly as you can run.  ’Twill be the sign that I need all of you with me.

George and John.  That’s it, master.  Us do understand what ’tis as we have got to do.

Old Mar.  Ah, ’tis best to be finished with hearts that beat to the tune of a maid’s tongue, and to creep quiet along the roads with naught but them pains as hunger and thirst do bring to th’ inside.  So ’tis.

[Curtain.]

Act III.—­Scene 1.

The parlour at Camel Farm.  Elizabeth, in her best dress, is moving about the room putting chairs in their places and arranging ornaments on the dresser, etc.  may stands at the door with a large bunch of flowers in her hands.

Elizabeth.  And what do you want to run about in the garden for when
I’ve just smoothed your hair and got you all ready to go to church?

May.  I’ve only been helping Annet gather some flowers to put upon the table.

Elizabeth.  You should know better then.  Didn’t I tell you to sit still in that chair with your hands folded nicely till we were ready to start.

May.  Why, I couldn’t be sitting there all the while, now could I, Aunt?

Elizabeth.  This’ll be the last time as I tie your ribbon, mind.

[She smoothes MAY’s hair and ties it up for her.  Annet comes into the room with more flowers.