[She takes Chris by the hand and leads him forward.

Mrs. Gardner.  What’s this?  William, do you understand what the young person is telling us?

Julia. [Taking Laura with her other hand.] And here is Laura to whom I have given all my land and all my money.  She is the mistress of Luther’s now.

John. [Aside to William.] Now master, hearken to that.  Can’t you lift your spirits a bit.

Julia. [To Mrs. Gardner.] And I beg you to accept her as a daughter.  She will make a better farmer’s wife than ever I shall.

John. [In a loud whisper.] Start courting, master.

William.  O I dare not quite so sudden, John.

Mrs. Gardner. [Sitting down.] It will take a few moments for me to understand this situation.

Julia.  There is no need for any hurry.  We have all the evening before us.

John. [Hastily gathers a rosebud and puts it into William’s hand.] Give her a blossom, master.  ’Tis an easy start off.

William. [Coming forward shyly with the flower.] Would you fancy a rosebud, mistress?

Laura.  O that I would, master.

William.  Should you care to see—­to see where the young celery is planted out?

Laura.  O, I’d dearly love to see the spot.

William.  I’ll take you along to it then. [He gives her his arm, very awkwardly, and they move away.

Mrs. Gardner. [Sitting down.] Well—­things have changed since I was young.

John. [Looking viciously at Nat and Susan.] Ah, I counts they have, mistress, and ’tis all for the worse.

Susan. [Comes forward timidly.] And me and Nat are to be married too, mistress.

Mrs. Gardner.  I should have given you notice anyhow to-night, Susan, so perhaps it’s just as well you have made sure of some sort of a roof to your head.

Nat.  ‘Twill be but the roof of th’ old cart, mistress; but I warrant as her’ll sleep bravely under it, won’t you, Su.

Susan.  That I shall, dear Nat.

Tansie.  Well, Master John, have you a fancy to come tenting along of we.

John.  Upon my word, but I don’t know how ’tis with the young people nowadays, they be so bold.

Julia. [Who has been standing apart, her hand in that of Chris.] New days, new ways, John.

John.  Bless my soul, but ’tis hard to keep up with all these goings on, and no mistake.

Julia.  No need for you to try, John.  If you are too old to run with us you must abide still and watch us as we go.

Chris. But there, you needn’t look downhearted, master, for I knows someone as’ll give you a rare warm welcome if so be as you should change your mind and take your chance in the open, same as we.