Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 2

And who knows bye and bye whether there won't be sommat in yon great parcel for a good little wench.

MAY. O Uncle--I'd like to see it now.

DANIEL. Nay, nay--this is not a suitable time--Aunt and me has business what's got to be settled like. Nay--'tis later on as the packets is to be opened.

ELIZABETH. Get along off, you tiresome child.--One word might do for some, but it takes twenty to get you to move.--Run along now, do you hear me?

[MAY goes.

Well, Father, I've done my share with Millie and she don't take a bit of notice of what I say. So now it's your turn.

DANIEL. Ah, I count 'tis more man's work, this here, so 'tis. There be things which belongs to females and there be others which do not.

You get and leave it all to me. I'll bring it off.

ELIZABETH. All right, Father, just you try your way--I'll have nothing more to do with it. [MILLIE comes in.]

MILLIE. Why, Father, you're back early from the Fair.

DANIEL. That's so, my wench. See that package over yonder?

MILLIE. O, that I do, Father.

DANIEL. Yon great one's for you, Mill.

MILLIE. O Father, what's inside it?

DANIEL. 'Tis a new, smart bonnet, my wench.

MILLIE. For me, Father?

DANIEL. Ah--who else should it be for, Mill?

MILLIE. O Father, you are good to me.

DANIEL. And a silk cloak as well.

MILLIE. A silken cloak, and a bonnet--O Father, 'tis too much for you to give me all at once, like.

DANIEL. Young Andrew did help me with the choice, and 'tis all to be worn on this day month, my girl.

MILLIE. Why, Father, what's to happen then?

DANIEL. 'Tis for you to go along to church in, Mill.

MILLIE. To church, Father?

DANIEL. Ah, that 'tis--you in the cloak and bonnet, and upon the arm of young Andrew, my wench.

MILLIE. O no, Father.

DANIEL. But 'tis "yes" as you have got to learn, my wench. And quickly too. For 'tis this very evening as Andrew be coming for his answer. And 'tis to be "yes" this time.

MILLIE. O no, Father.

DANIEL. You've an hour before you, my wench, in which to get another word to your tongue.

MILLIE. I can't learn any word that isn't "no," Father.

DANIEL. Look at me, my wench. My foot be down. I means what I says--

MILLIE. And I mean what I say, too, Father. And I say, No!

DANIEL. Millie, I've set down my foot.

MILLIE. And so have I, Father.

DANIEL. And 'tis "yes" as you must say to young Andrew when he do come a-courting of you this night.

MILLIE. That I'll never say, Father. I don't want cloaks nor bonnets, nor my heart moved by gifts, or tears brought to my eyes by fair words. I'll not wed unless I can give my love along with my hand. And 'tis not to Andrew I can give that, as you know.

DANIEL. And to whom should a maid give her heart if 'twasn't to Andrew? A finer lad never trod in a pair of shoes. I'll be blest if I do know what the wenches be a-coming to.

ELIZABETH. There, Father, I told you what to expect.

DANIEL. But 'tis master as I'll be, hark you, Mother, hark you, Mill. And 'tis "Yes" as you have got to fit your tongue out with my girl, afore 'tis dark. [Rising.] I be a'going off to the yard, but, Mother, her'll know what to say to you, her will.

MILLIE. Dad, do you stop and shew me the inside of my packet. Let us put Andrew aside and be happy--do!

DANIEL. Ah, I've got other things as is waiting to be done nor breaking in a tricksome filly to run atween the shafts. 'Tis fitter work for females, and so 'tis.

ELIZABETH. And so I told you, Father, from the start.

MILLIE. And 'tis "No" that I shall say.

[Curtain.]

ACT I.--Scene 2.

It is dusk on the same evening.

MILLIE is standing by the table folding up the silken cloak. ANNET sits watching her, on her knees lies a open parcel disclosing a woollen shawl. In a far corner of the room MAY is seated on a stool making a daisy chain.

ANNET. 'Twas very good of Uncle to bring me this nice shawl, Millie.

MILLIE. You should have had a cloak like mine, Annet, by rights.