William.  I might.  And yet, ’tis a pity to cut the blooms for naught.

John.  I always takes a nosegay with me, of a Saturday night.

William.  Why, John, who is it that you are courting then?

John.  ’Tis that wench Susan, since you ask me, master.  But not a word of it to th’ old mistress.

William.  I’ll not mention it, John.

John.  Thank you kindly, master.

William.  And now, John, when the nosegay’s all gathered and the flowers bunched, what else should I do?

John.  Well, then you gives it her when you gets to the door.  And very like she’ll ask you into the parlour, seeing as you be a particular fine looking gentleman.

William.  I could not stand that, John.  I’ve no tongue to me within a strange house.

John.  Well then, maybe as you and she will sit aside of one another in an arbour in the garden, or sommat of the sort.

William.  Yes, John.  And what next?

John.  I’m blessed if I do know, master.  You go along and commence.

William.  No, John, and that I won’t.  Not till I know more about it like.

John.  Well, master, I’m fairly puzzled hard to tell you.

William.  I have the very thought, John.  Do you bring Susan out here.  I’ll place myself behind the shrubs, and do you get and court her as well as you know how; and maybe that will learn me something.

John.  Susan’s a terrible hard wench to court, Master William.

William.  ’Twill make the better lesson, John.

John.  ’Tis a stone in place of a heart what Susan’s got.

William.  ’Twill very likely be the same with Julia.  Go and bring her quickly, John.

[William places himself behind the arbour.

John.  As you will, master—­but Susan have been wonderful nasty in her ways with me of late.  ’Tis my belief as she have took up with one of they low gipsy lads what have been tenting up yonder, against the wood.

William.  Well, ’twill be your business to win her back to you, John. 
See—­am I properly hid, behind the arbour?

John.  Grandly hid, master—­I’ll go and fetch the wench. [John leaves the garden.

[William remains hidden behind the arbour.  After a few minutes John returns pulling Susan by the hand.

Susan.  And what are you about, bringing me into master’s flower garden at this time of the morning?  I should like for mistress to look out of one of the windows—­you’d get into fine trouble, and me too, John.

John.  Susan, my dear, you be a passing fine wench to look upon, and that’s the truth.

Susan.  And is it to tell me such foolishness that you’ve brought me all the way out of the kitchen?