Millie.  In the dusk he’ll never know that ’tisn’t me.  Being cousins, we speak after the same fashion, and in the shape of us there’s not much that’s amiss.

Annet.  But in the clothing of us, Mill—­why, ’tis a grand young lady that you look—­whilst I —

Millie. [Taking up the silken cloak.] Here—­put this over your gown, Annet.

Annet. [Standing up.] I don’t mind just trying it on, like.

Millie. [Fastening it.] There—­and now the bonnet, with the veil pulled over the face.

[She ties the bonnet and arranges the veil on Annet.

Millie. [Standing back and surveying her cousin.] There, Annet, there May, who is to tell which of us ’tis?

May. [Coming forward.] O I should never know that ’twasn’t you, Cousin Mill.

Millie.  And I could well mistake her for myself too, so listen, Annet.  ’Tis you that shall talk with Master Andrew when he comes to-night.  And ’tis you that shall give him my answer.  I’ll not burn my lips by speaking the word he asks of me.

Annet.  O Mill—­I cannot—­no I cannot.

Millie.  Don’t let him have it very easily, Annet.  Set him a ditch or two to jump before he gets there.  And let the thorns prick him a bit before he gathers the flower.  You know my way with him.

May.  And I know it too, Millie—­Why, your tongue, ’tis very near as sharp as when Aunt do speak.

Annet.  O Millie, take off these things—­I cannot do it, that’s the truth.

May. [Looking out through the door.] There’s Andrew a-coming over the mill yard.

Millie.  Here, sit down, Annet, with the back of you to the light.

[She pushes Annet into a chair beneath the window.

May.  Can I get into the cupboard and listen to it, Cousin Mill?

Millie.  If you promise to bide quiet and to say naught of it afterwards.

May.  O I promise, I promise—­I’ll just leave a crack of the door open for to hear well.

[May gets into the cupboard.  Millie takes up Annet’s new shawl and puts it all over her.

Millie.  No one will think that ’tisn’t you, in the dusk.

Annet.  O Millie, what is it that you’ve got me to do?

Millie.  Never you mind, Annet—­you shall see what ’tis to have a grand suitor and I shall get a little while of quiet out yonder, where I can think on Giles.

[She runs out of the door just as Andrew comes up.  Andrew knocks and then enters the open door.

Andrew.  Where’s Annet off to in such a hurry?

Annet. [Very faintly.] I’m sure I don’t know. [Andrew lays aside his hat and comes up to the window.  He stands before Annet looking down on her.  She becomes restless under his gaze, and at last signs to him to sit down.