Julia.  My love has gathered something better for me than a carrot.  See, a spray of elder bloom that was tossing ever so high in the wind.

[She takes a branch of elder flower from her dress, and shews it to Laura.

Laura.  The roots that lie warm in the earth do seem more homely like to me.

Julia.  Well—­each one has their own way in love—­and mine lies through the dark woods, and yours is in the vegetable garden.  And ’tis your road that we will take this afternoon—­so come along quickly with me, Laura, for the sun has already begun to change its light.

[Laura replaces the vegetables in her basket and rises from the seat as the curtain falls.

Act III.—­Scene 1.

The Garden of Road Farm as in Act I.

Mrs. Gardner is knitting in the Arbour.  William strolls about gloomily, his hands in his pockets.

Mrs. Gardner.  And serve you right, William, for sending the man when you should have gone yourself.

William.  John has a tongue that is better used to this sort of business than mine.

Mrs. Gardner.  Nonsense, when was one of our family ever known to fail in the tongue?

William.  If she that was asked first had only been the right one, all would have been over and done with now.

Mrs. Gardner.  ’Tis John that you have got to thank for the blunder.

William. [Sighing.] That was a rare fine maid, and no mistake.

Mrs. Gardner.  And a rare brazen hussy, from all that has reached my ears.

William.  Well—­I’ve done with courting—­now and for all time, that I have.  And you may roast me alive if I’ll ever go nigh to a maid again.

Mrs. Gardner.  That you shall, William—­and quickly too.  There’s no time like the present, and your Sunday clothes are upon you still.

William.  I was just going up to change, Mother.

Mrs. Gardner.  Then you’ll please to remain as you are.  You may take what gift you like along with you this time, so long as it’s none of my home-cured meat.

William.  I’m blessed if I do stir out again this day.  Why, look at the seedlings crying for water, and the nets to lay over the fruit and sommat of everything wanting to be done all around of me.  I’ll not stir.

[John comes towards them.

Mrs. Gardner.  Here’s John.  Suppose he were to make himself useful in the garden for once instead of meddling in things that are none of his business.

John.  I’ll be blowed if ’tis any more courting as I’ll do, neither for Master William nor on my own account.

William.  Why, John, ’twasn’t your fault that the lady wouldn’t take me, you did your best with her, I know.