Jessie. [Runs in with a tray on which is a jug of water and a glass.] I’m bringing the drink for Aunt, Mr. Jenner.  Maggie’s crying ever so badly, and Mother’s sent her upstairs to wash her face and put her hair tidy.

[Jessie puts the tray on the table near to where Joan is sitting.  Miles hoofer busies himself in pouring out a glass of water and in handing it with a great deal of exaggerated deference to Joan.

Joan. [Drinking.] Such a coarse glass!

Miles.  Ah, you must let me send you up one from my place during your stay here.  Who could expect a lady to drink from such a thing as that?

Joan. [Laying aside the glass.] There’s a taste of mould in the water too.

Jessie.  It’s fresh.  Mother drawed it up from the well, she did.

Joan. [Looking disdainfully round on the room.] Such a strange room.  So very common.

Luke.  Nay, you mustn’t judge of the house by this.  Don’t you recollect the parlour yonder, with the stuffed birds and the chiney cupboard?

Joan. [Looking round again.] Such an old-fashioned place as this I never did see.  ’Tis a low sort of room too, no carpet on the boards nor cloth to the table, nor nothing elegant.

Miles.  Ah, we find the mansions in town very different to a country farm house, don’t we Miss?

Joan.  I should think we did, Mister Hooper.  Why, look at that great old wooden chair by the hearth?  Don’t it look un-stylish, upon my word, with no cushions to it nor nothing.

Jessie. [Coming quite close to Joan and looking straight into her face.] That’s great gran’ma’s chair, what Dad said you’d be best pleased for to see.

[Joan looks very confused and begins to fan herself hastily.

Jessie.  And th’ old clock’s another thing what Dad did say as you’d look upon.

Joan.  O the old clock’s well enough, to be sure.

Jessie.  I did want to gather a nosegay of flowers to set in your bedroom, Aunt, but Mother, she said, no.

Joan. [Languidly.] I must say I don’t see any flowers blooming here that I should particular care about having in my apartment.

Jessie.  And Father said as how you’d like to smell the blossoms in the garden.  And Georgie told as how you did use to gather the clover blooms when you was a little girl and set them by you where you did sleep.

Joan. [Crossly.] O run away, child, I’m tired to death with all this chatter.  How would you like to be so pestered after such a travel over the rough country roads as I have had?

Luke.  Now, my little maid, off you go.  Take back the tray to Mother, and be careful as you don’t break the glasses on it.

Jessie. [Taking up the tray.] I’m off to play in the hayfield along of Robin, then.