Martha Part 4

LADY H. Yes, cousin, you are exonerated. Whatever happens, be it upon my own rash head. But I will not go! (_Emphatically._)

PLUN. (_overhears last words_). You hear, sir? She will not go with you. Don't annoy the girls any further. (_To girls._) Call on us if he bothers you. (_To_ TRIS., _who looks daggers_.) But cheer up! There are plenty more maids yonder. Hi, girls (_turns to the servants_). Here's a chap wants a good maid, and he looks as if he could pay well, too.

TRIS. Oh! what a beastly joke! He's taking liberties with me!

(_He looks scared and affronted._)

(LADY H. _and_ NANCY _laugh together over_ TRISTAN'S _plight as the girls come forward and surround him_.)

ALL (_chattering_). I can mow, I can sew, I can reap, I can sweep, I can bake and make, I can boil and stew, I can churn and brew! (_All speak different lines from the part just sung and make a great clatter and confusion._ TRISTAN _dodges among them and runs off, the girls following him_.)

LADY H. He has taken refuge in flight!

NAN. Let's hope he won't forget us.

LADY H. (_nervously_). See those men. They are still looking at us.

NAN. They seem to have taken a fancy to us, that's plain.

PLUN. (_to_ LIONEL). One of them would be just what we want, I think--the younger one, now. (_Nods at_ NANCY.)

LIONEL. It would never do to separate them. See how shy they are.

LADY H. (_to_ NANCY). That one seems quite bashful, doesn't he?

I wonder how such peasants talk?

NAN. Bad grammar, for one thing.

PLUN. (_to_ LIONEL). What are you afraid of? Go speak to them.

LIO. I'm afraid to.

PLUN. Silly noodle! Just watch me. (_Advances boldly as if to speak to the ladies, stops suddenly and goes back._)

NAN. The big one is dumb, too; aren't they stupid! Let's go.

LADY H. (_turns to follow_ TRISTAN). I suppose we'd better-- (_Hesitates and looks back at the two men._)

PLUN. We must not let such a chance slip. Servant girls like those are not found every day. I have taken a fancy to that big one and I don't mean to let her get away. Courage, Plunket! (_He advances again, again hesitates, and snapping his fingers at himself, advances and speaks._) Wait a moment, girls! We've decided we like you. If you're as smart as you look you can have a good place with us for years.

LIO. Yes, for years and years!

LADY H. You mean as your servants?

PLUN. Of course! What else?

NAN. (_laughing_). Ha! ha! ha! what a joke!

LIO. What is there to laugh at?

PLUN. So long as they do their work, the more they laugh, the better.

LADY H. _and_ NAN. Work! We!

PLUN. (_to_ NAN.). I'll give you the care of the geese and pigs and chickens. (_To_ LADY H.) You shall have charge of the garden--weed it, and gather potatoes and corn.

LIO. O come! that's too hard for her. Let her do housework--

PLUN. And darn our socks and mend our s.h.i.+rts? Very well. We'll pay you fifty crowns a year. For extras there'll be a pint of ale on Sundays and plum pudding on New Years.

LADY H. Who could refuse such a tempting offer? (_Laughs._)

NAN. Now I know what I am worth, at last! (_Laughs._)

PLUN. _and_ LIO. (_eagerly_). You agree?

LADY H. _and_ NAN. Yes! yes! We agree! (_They shake hands._)

PLUN. It's a bargain! Here's the money down!

(LADY H. _and_ NAN. _each put the money in their purse, laughing together_.)

NO. 7.

LADY H. _and_ NAN. (_sing_).

See what grace they show in mien and bearing, Of our sport, I'm bound, I say, to see the end; Money's paid and we must keep our bargain, Men so courteous never will offend.

LIO. _and_ PLUN.

Two young maids so well set up and charming, Ne'er was city girl that equalled these of mine; They are jewels, pretty, kind and cheerful, Faith, I'll tell them so, and lose no time.

(_At close of quartette_ TRISTAN _comes back to stage, evidently exhausted and much dishevelled; the servants follow him and again surround him_.)

TRIS. Oh, I thought I had eluded them! Leave off! Here's money!

( _Throws a purse._) Plague on your crazy pack! (_The girls run to divide the money._) Ho! what is this? (_He advances toward_ PLUNKET, _who has hold of_ NANCY'S _arm_.) You forget yourself!

Forbear!

PLUN. Who are you? What do you want? (_A tussel threatens between the two men._ TRISTAN _backs down, afraid_.)

LADY H. There, there! it's all right! (_To_ TRISTAN.) We are ready to go now. (_Takes his arm._)

PLUN. I'd like to see you! With my money in your purse! You stay with us!

TRIS. Fellow! do you know who this is?

LADY H. (_aside to_ TRIS.) No! no! don't betray me! Think what a scandal if this got to court! Don't you dare to tell them who I am!