ELIZABETH. Too late--I should think it was. What"s come to the maid! In my time girls didn"t use to spend a quarter of the while afore the gla.s.s as they do now. Suppose you was to holler for her again, Father.
DANIEL. Anything to please you, Mother -
MAY. I hear her coming, Uncle. I hear the noise of the silk.
[MILLIE comes slowly into the room in her wedding clothes. She holds herself very upright and looks from one to another quietly and coldly.
MAY. Andrew"s gived your nosegay to Annet, Millie.
MILLIE. "Twould have been a pity to have wasted the fresh blossoms.
MAY. But they were gathered for you, Mill.
MILLIE. Annet seems to like them better than I did.
DANIEL. Well, my wench--you be tricked out as though you was off to the horse show. Mother, there bain"t no one as can beat our wench in looks anywhere this side of the country.
ELIZABETH. She"s right enough in the clothing of her, but "twould be better if her looks did match the garments more. Come, Millie, can"t you appear pleasanter like on your wedding day?
MILLIE. I"m very thirsty, Mother. Could I have a drink of water before we set out?
ELIZABETH. And what next, I should like to know?
MILLIE. "Tis only a drink of water that I"m asking for.
DANIEL. Well, that"s reasonable, Mother, bain"t it?
ELIZABETH. Run along and get some for your cousin, May. [MAY runs out of the room.
DANIEL. Come you here, Andrew, did you ever see a wench to beat ourn in looks, I say?
ANDREW. [Who has remained near ANNET without moving.] "Tis very fine that Millie"s looking.
DANIEL. Fine, I should think "twas. You was a fine looking wench, Mother, the day I took you to church, but "tis my belief that Millie have beat you in the appearance of her same as the roan heifer did beat th" old cow when the both was took along to market. Ah, and did fetch very near the double of what I gived for the dam.
[MAY returns carrying a gla.s.s bowl full of water.
MAY. Here"s a drink of cold water, Millie. I took it from the spring.
[MILLIE takes the bowl. At the same moment a loud knocking is heard at the outside door.
ELIZABETH. Who"s that, I should like to know?
[MILLIE sets down the bowl on the table. She listens with a sudden intent, anxiety on her face as the knock is repeated.
DANIEL. I"ll learn anyone to come meddling with me on a day when "tis marrying going on.
[The knocking is again heard.
MILLIE. [To MAY, who would have opened the door.] No, no. "Tis I who will open the door.
[She raises the latch and flings the door wide open. GILES disguised as a poor and bent old man, comes painfully into the room.
ELIZABETH. We don"t want no beggars nor roadsters here to-day, if you please.
DANIEL. Ah, and that us don"t. Us be a wedding party here, and "tis for you to get moving on, old man.
MILLIE. He is poor and old. And he has wandered far, in the heat of the morning. Look at his sad clothing.
ANDREW. [To ANNET.] I never heard her put so much gentleness to her words afore.
MILLIE. And "tis my wedding day. He shall not go uncomforted from here.
ELIZABETH. I never knowed you so careful of a poor wretch afore, Millie. "Tis quite a new set out, this.
MILLIE. I am in mind of another, who may be wandering, and hungered, and in poor clothing this day.
MAY. Give him something quick, Aunt, and let him get off so that we can start for the wedding.
MILLIE. [Coming close to GILES.] What is it I can do for you, master?
GILES. "Tis only a drink of water that I ask, mistress.
MILLIE. [Taking up the gla.s.s bowl.] Only a drink of water, master?
Then take, and be comforted.
[She holds the bowl before him for him to drink. As he takes it, he drops a ring into the water. He then drinks and hands the bowl back to MILLIE. For a moment she gazes speechless at the bottom of the bowl. Then she lifts the ring from it and would drop the bowl but for MAY, who takes it from her.
MILLIE. Master, from whom did you get this?
GILES. Look well at the stones of it, mistress, for they are clouded and dim.
MILLIE. And not more clouded than the heart which is in me, master.
O do you bring me news?
GILES. Is it not all too late for news, mistress?
MILLIE. Not if it be the news for which my heart craves, master.
GILES. And what would that be, mistress?
[MILLIE goes to GILES, and with both hands slowly pushes back his big hat and gazes at him.
MILLIE. O Giles, my true love. You are come just in time. Another hour and I should have been wed.
GILES. And so you knew me, Mill?
MILLIE. O Giles, no change of any sort could hide you from the eyes of my love.