Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 66

ISABEL. And Robert be differenter too from what I do remember. [A long silence.

LUBIN. Have you thought as it might be in us two these changes have come about, Isabel?

ISABEL. I was just the maid as ever I was until -

LUBIN. And so was I unchanged, until I started travelling up on the same road as you, Isabel.

[For a few minutes they look gravely into one another's eyes.

LUBIN. [Taking ISABEL'S hands.] So that's how 'tis with you and me.

ISABEL. O Lubin--a poor serving maid like I am.

LUBIN. I'll have no one else in the whole world.

ISABEL. What could I have seen in him, times gone by?

LUBIN. And was it ever true that I did sit through a long Sunday her hand in mine? [Another silence.

ISABEL. But how's us ever to get out of the caddle where we be?

LUBIN. [Gaily.] We'll just run away off to the Fair as t'other servants did.

ISABEL. And leave them in their hate for one another? No--'twould be too cruel. Us'll run to the young mistress what knows all about them herbs. I count as there be seeds or sommat which could set the hearts of them two back in the right places again. Come -

LUBIN. Have it your own way then. But 'twill have to be done very quickly if 'tis done at all.

ISABEL. Us'll fly over the ground like.

[She puts her hand impetuously in LUBIN'S and they go out together.

As they do so, ISABEL'S bonnet falls from her head and lies unheeded on the floor.

ACT III.--Scene 3.

A few minutes later. LIZ and JANE wearing gay sprigged dresses and feathered bonnets, come to the room. They carry fans and handkerchiefs in their hands. It is seen that their gowns are not fastened at the back.

LIZ. Such a house I never heard tell of. Ring, ring at the bell and no one to come nigh.

JANE. Being unused to bells, sister, maybe as us did pull them wrong or sommat.

LIZ. I wish we'd had the gowns made different.

JANE. To do up in the front--sensible like.

[They twist and turn in front of the gla.s.s on the wall, absorbed in their dress, they do not notice that JEREMY has come in and is watching them sarcastically.

JEREMY. Being as grey as th' old badger don't keep a female back from vanity.

LIZ. O dear, Master Jeremy, what a turn you did give me, to be sure.

JANE. We can't find no one in this house to attend upon we.

JEREMY. I count as you can not. Bain't no one here.

LIZ. We rang for the wench a many time.

JEREMY. Ah, and you might ring.

JANE. We want someone as'll fasten them niggly hooks to our gowns.

JEREMY. Ah, and you may want.

LIZ. Our sight bain't clear enough to do one for t'other, the eyelets be made so small.

JEREMY. Count as you'll have to go unfastened then.

JANE. O now you be a laughing at us. Call the wench down, or we shall never be ready in time.

JEREMY. Man and maid be both gone off. Same as t'others, us'll have to do without service

LIZ. Gone off!

JANE. Runned clean away?

JEREMY. That's about it.

JANE. Well now, sister, us'll have to ask the little Miss to help we.

JEREMY. I've harnessed the mare a many time. Don't see why I shouldn't get the both of you fixed into the shafts like.

LIZ and JANE. [Fanning themselves coyly.] O Master Jeremy -

JEREMY. Come now. Let's have a try. I count as no one have a steadier hand nor me this side of the river, nor a finer eye for seeing as everything be in its place. I'll settle the both of you afore I gets out the horse and trap. Turn round.

[The sisters turn awkwardly, and with very self-conscious airs begin to flutter their fans. JEREMY quickly hooks each gown in succession.

As he finishes the fastening of JANE'S dress ROSE, followed by KITTY, comes into the room. She is wearing her bridal gown and veil.

ROSE. [Pausing.] What's this, Jeremy?

JEREMY. The servants be runned away same as t'others--that's all, mistress.

ROSE. Run away?

JEREMY. So I do reckon. Bain't anywhere about the place.