Julia.  I have no liking for pigs’ meat myself.

John.  Master’s pig meat be different to any in the county, mistress.  “Tell her,” says Master William, “’tis a rare fine bit of mellow jowl as I be a sending she.”

Julia.  O John, I’m a very poor judge of such things.

John.  And look you here.  I never seed a bit of Master William’s home-cured sent out beyond the family to no one till this day.  No, that I have not, mistress.

Julia. [Shutting the basket.] Well—­I have no use for such a gift, John, so it may be returned again to the family.  I am sorry you had the trouble of bringing it so far.

John.  You may not be partial to pig meat, mistress, but you’ll send back the key of Master William’s heart same as you have done the jowls.

Julia.  I have no use for the key of Master William’s heart either, John.  And you may tell him so, from me.

John.  Why, mistress.  You don’t know what you be a talking of.  A man like my master have never had to take a No in place of Yes in all the born days of him.

Julia. [Rising.] Then he’ll have to take it now, John.  And I’m thinking ’tis time you set off home again with your load.

John.  Well, mistress, I don’t particular care to go afore you have given me a good word or sommat as’ll hearten up poor Master William in his love sickness.

Julia.  Truly, John, I don’t know what you would have me say.

John.  I warrant there be no lack of words to the inside of you, if so be as you’d open you mouth a bit wider.  ’Tis not silence as a maid is troubled with in general.

Julia.  O, I have plenty of words ready, John, should you care to hear them.

John.  Then out with them, Mistress Julia, and tell the master as how you’ll take the offer what he have made you.

Julia.  I’ve never seen your master, John, but I know quite enough about him to say I’ll never wed with him.  Please to make that very clear when you get back.

John.  ’Tis plain as you doesn’t know what you be a talking of.  And ’tis a wonder as how such foolishness can came from the mouth of a sensible looking maid like yourself.

Julia.  I shall not marry Master William Gardner.

John.  I reckon as you’ll be glad enough to eat up every one of them words the day you claps eyes on Master William, for a more splendid gentleman nor he never fetched his breath.

Julia.  I’ll never wed a farmer, John.

John.  And then, look at the gift what Master William’s been and sent you.  ’Tisn’t to everyone as master do part with his pig meat.  That ’tisn’t.

Julia. [Rising.] Well, you can tell your master I’m not one that can be courted with a jowl, mellow or otherwise.  And that I’ll not wed until I can give my heart along with my hand.