Jessie.  And Aunt has been here two days and more, and she hasn’t brought us nothing.

Emily.  Your fine aunt have been too much took up with her fancy gentlemen to think of what would be suitable behaviour towards you children.

Jessie.  Will Aunt Clara get married soon?

Emily.  ’Tis to be hoped as she will be.  Such a set out in the house I have never seen afore in all my days.  Young women as is hale and hearty having their victuals took up to their rooms and a-lying in bed till ’tis noon or later.

Jessie.  ’Tis only one of them as lies in bed.

Robin. [To Clara.] Do you think Aunt has got sommat for us upstairs, Joan?

Clara. [Rising and putting down her work.] I know she has, Robin.

Emily.  Don’t let me catch you speaking to Master Spring as though you and he was of the same station, young person.

Clara.  Master Robin, and Miss Jessie, I will go upstairs and fetch the gifts that your aunt has brought for you.

[She goes leisurely towards the staircase door, smiling at the children.

Emily.  Ah, and you may tell your young madam that ’tis high time as she was out of bed and abroad.  Hear that? [Clara goes out.

Jessie.  I like her.  She speaks so gentle.  Not like Aunt.

Emily.  She’s a stuck up sort of fine lady herself like.  Look at the hands of her, ’tis not a day’s hard work as they have done in her life, I’ll warrant.

Robin.  What will she bring us from out of the great boxes, do you think?

Emily.  Sommat what you don’t need, I warrant.  ’Tis always so.  When folks take it into their heads to give you aught, ’tis very nigh always sommat which you could do better without.

[Emily gets up and begins settling the pots on the fire, and fetching a jug of cold water from the back kitchen and a knife which she lays on the table.

[Clara enters carrying some parcels.  She brings them to the table.  Both the children run to her.

Clara. [Holding out a long parcel to Emily and speaking to the children.] The first is for your mother, children.

Emily. [With an angry exclamation.] Now, you mark my words, ’twill be sommat as I shall want to fling over the hedge for all the use ’twill be.

[She comes near, opens the parcel and perceives it to be a length of rich black silk.

Clara.  My mistress thought it might be suitable.

Emily.  Suitable?  I’ll suitable her.  When shall my two hands find time to sew me a gown out of it, I’d like to know?  And if ’twas sewn, when would my limbs find time to sit down within of it? [Flinging it down on the table.] Suitable?  You can tell your mistress from me as she can keep her gifts to herself if she can’t do better nor this.