Clara.  What makes you say that, Maggie?

Maggie.  Missis be very high in her ways and powerful sharp in the tongue, but I declare as your young lady will be worser nor missis when she do come to that age.

Clara.  Why do you think this, Mag?

Maggie.  O she do look at any one as though they was lower nor the very worms in the ground.  And her speaks as though each word did cost she more nor a shilling to bring it out.  And see how destructive she be with her fine clothing.  A laced petticoat tore to ribbons last night, and to-day yon handkerchief.

Clara.  These things are soon mended.

[Maggie continues to dust for a few moments.

Maggie.  The day you comed here, ’twas a bit of ribbon as you did have around of your hair.

Clara. [After a moment’s hesitation.] I put it on to keep my hair neat on the journeying.

Maggie. [Coming nearer.] I count as you’ve not missed it, have you?

Clara.  Indeed I have, and I think I must have lost it in the hayfield.

Maggie.  ’Tain’t lost.

Clara.  Where is it then?

Maggie.  Look here, I could tell you, but I shan’t.

Clara.  If you have found it, Maggie, you may keep it.

Maggie.  ’Twould be a fine thing to be a grand serving maid as you be, and to give away ribbons, so ’twould.

[Clara takes no notice of her and goes on sewing.

Maggie. [More insistently.] ’Twasn’t me as found the ribbon.

Clara.  Who was it then?

Maggie.  I daresay you’d like for to know, but I’m not going to say nothing more about it.

[Maggie leans against the table watching Clara as she sews.

[Emily with both the children now come in.  Emily carries a basket of potatoes, and Jessie a large bowl.

Emily. [Setting down the basket.] Maggie, you idle, bad girl, whatever are you doing here when master expects you down in the meadow to help with the raking?

Maggie.  I be just a-going off yonder, mistress.

Emily.  I’d thank other folk not to bring dressed up fine young serving minxes down here—­you was bad enough afore, Maggie, but you’ll be a hundred times worser now.

Maggie.  I’ll be off and help master.  I’ve been and put the meat on to boil as you said, missis.

[Maggie goes off.

[Clara continues to sew, quietly.  Jessie has put her bowl down on the table, and now comes to her side.  Robin also comes close to her.  Emily flings herself into a chair for a moment and contemptuously watches them.

Jessie.  We don’t care much about our new aunt, Joan.

Robin.  Dad said as how Aunt would be sure to bring us sommat good from London town in them great boxes.