Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 21

LUKE. Now, my little maid, off you go. Take back the tray to Mother, and be careful as you don't break the gla.s.ses on it.

JESSIE. [Taking up the tray.] I'm off to play in the hayfield along of Robin, then.

[LUKE opens the back kitchen door for her and she goes out.

Meanwhile MILES has taken up the fan and is fanning JOAN, who leans back in her chair with closed eyes and exhausted look.

LUKE. [Coming to her side and sitting down.] 'Twill seem more homelike when Thomas do come up from the field.

JOAN. [Raising herself and looking at him.] You mustn't trouble about me, Mister Jenner. I shall be quite comfortable presently.

[The back door opens and MAGGIE comes hurriedly in.

MAGGIE. Please, mistress, there be a young person a-coming through the rick yard.

JOAN. [Nervously.] A young person?

MAGGIE. Mistress be at the gooseberries a-gathering of them, and the children be gone off to th' hay field.

MILES. 'Tis very likely your serving maid, dear Miss. Shall I fetch the young woman in to you?

JOAN. My maid, did you say? My maid?

LUKE. Ah, depend on it, 'tis she.

MAGGIE. The young person do have all the looks of a serving wench, mistress. She be tramping over the yard with naught but a white handkerchief over the head of she and a poking into most of the styes and a-calling of the geese and poultry.

LUKE. That's her, right enough. Bring her in, Mag.

JOAN. [Agitatedly.] No, no--I mean--I want to see her particular-- and alone. I'll go to meet her. You--gentlemen--[MAGGIE goes slowly into the back kitchen.

MILES. [Placing a chair for JOAN.] Delicate ladies should not venture out into the heat at this time of day.

JOAN. [With sudden resolution ignoring the chair and going to the window.] Then, do you two kind gentlemen take a stroll in the garden. I have need of the services of my--my young woman. But when she has put me in order after the dusty journey, I shall ask you to be good enough to come back and while away an hour for me in this sad place.

MILES. [Fervently.] Anything to oblige a lady, miss.

LUKE. That's right. Us'll wait while you do lay aside your bonnet.

[MILES and LUKE go out through the garden door. MILES, turning to bow low before he disappears. JOAN stands as though distraught in the middle of the room. Through the open door of the back kitchen the voices of CLARA and MAGGIE are distinctly heard.

CLARA. Is no one at home then?

MAGGIE. Ah, go you straight on into the kitchen, you'll find whom you be searching for in there. I'd take and shew you in myself only I'm wanted down to th' hayfield now.

CLARA. Don't put yourself to any trouble about me. I know my way.

[CLARA comes into the kitchen. She has tied a white handkerchief over her head, and carries a bunch of wildflowers in her hands.

CLARA. Still in your cloak and bonnet! Why, I thought by now you would have unpacked our things and made yourself at home.

JOAN. [Joining her hands supplicatingly and coming towards CLARA, speaking almost in a whisper.] O mistress, you'll never guess what I've been and done. But 'twasn't all my fault at the commencement.

CLARA. [Looking her over searchingly.] You do look very disturbed, Joan, what has happened?

JOAN. 'Twas the fine bonnet and cloak, mam. 'Twas they as did it.

CLARA. Did what?

JOAN. Put the thought into my head, like.

CLARA. What thought?

JOAN. As how 'twould feel to be a real grand lady, like you, mistress.

CLARA. What then, Joan?

JOAN. So I began to pretend all to myself as how that I was one, mistress.

CLARA. Come, tell me all.

JOAN. And whilst I was sat down upon that fallen tree, and sort of pretending to myself, the two gentlemen came along.

CLARA. What gentlemen?

JOAN. Gentlemen as was after courting you, mistress.

CLARA. Courting me?

JOAN. Yes, and they commenced speaking so nice and respectful like.

CLARA. Go on, Joan, don't be afraid.

JOAN. It did seem to fall in with the game I was a-playing with myself. And then, before I did know how, 'twas they was both of them a-taking me for you, mam.

CLARA. And did you not un-deceive them, Joan?

JOAN. [Very ashamedly.] No, mam.

CLARA. You should have told them the truth about yourself at once.

JOAN. O I know I should have, mistress. But there was something as held me back when I would have spoke the words.

CLARA. I wonder what that could have been?

JOAN. 'Twas them being such very nice and kind gentlemen. And, O mistress, you'll not understand it, because you've told me many times as the heart within you have never been touched by love.

CLARA. [Suddenly sitting down.] And has yours been touched to-day, Joan, by love?

JOAN. That it have, mistress. Love have struck at it heavily.