JOAN. I do feel so awkward like in speech with Farmer Thomas, mistress. And with the children, too.
CLARA. Come, you must take heart and throw yourself into the acting.
Try to be as a sister would with Thomas. Be lively, and kind in your way with the children.
JOAN. I tries to be like old Madam Lovel was, when I talks with them.
CLARA. That cross, rough mode of hers sits badly on any one young, Joan. Be more of yourself, but make little changes in your manner here and there.
JOAN. [With a heavy sigh.] "Tis the here and the there as I finds it so hard to manage.
JESSIE. [Running in breathlessly.] A letter, a letter for Aunt Clara. [CLARA involuntarily puts out her hand.] No, Joan. I was to give it to Aunt Clara herself. I"ve run all the way.
[JOAN slowly takes the letter, looking confused.
JESSIE. Will you read it now, Aunt?
JOAN. Run away, little girl, I don"t want no children worriting round me now. [Suddenly recollecting herself and forcing herself to speak brightly.] I mean--no, my dear little girl, I"d rather wait to read it till I"m by myself; but thank you very kindly all the same, my pet.
JESSIE. O, but I should like to hear the letter read, so much.
JOAN. Never mind. Run along back to mother, there"s a sweet little maid.
JESSIE. I"d sooner stop with you now, you look so much kinder, like.
CLARA. [Taking JESSIE"S hand and leading her to the door.] Now, Miss Jessie, your aunt must read her letter in quiet, but if you will come back presently I will have a game with you outside.
JESSIE. [As she runs off.] Mother won"t let me talk with you any more, alone. She says as you"ve made a fool of Georgie and you"ll do the same by us all.
JOAN. [When JESSIE has run off.] There now, how did I do that, mistress?
CLARA. Better, much better.
JOAN. "Tis the feeling of one thing and the speaking of another, with you ladies and gentlemen. So it appears to me.
CLARA. [After a moment"s thought.] No. It is not quite like that.
But "tis, perhaps, the dressing up of an ugly feeling in better garments.
JOAN. [Handing the letter to CLARA.] There, mistress, "tis yours, not mine.
CLARA. [Glancing at it.] Lord Lovel"s writing. [CLARA opens the letter and reads it through.] He will not wait longer for my answer.
And he is coming here as fast as horses can bring him.
JOAN. O, mistress, whatever shall we do?
CLARA. We had better own to everything at once. It will save trouble in the end.
JOAN. Own to everything now, and lose all just as my hand was closing upon it, like!
CLARA. Poor Joan, it will not make any difference in the end, if the man loves you truly.
JOAN. Be kind and patient just to the evening, mistress. Hooper is coming up to see me now. I"d bring him to offer his self, if I was but left quiet along of him for a ten minutes or so.
CLARA. And then, Joan?
JOAN. And then, when was all fixed up comfortable between us, mistress, maybe as you could break it gently to him so as he wouldn"t think no worse of me.
[CLARA gets up and goes to the window, where she looks out for a few minutes in silence. JOAN cries softly meanwhile.
CLARA. [Turning towards JOAN.] As you will, Joan. Very likely "twill be to-morrow morning before my lord reaches this place.
JOAN. O bless you for your goodness, mistress. And I do pray as all may go as well with you as "tis with me.
CLARA. [Sadly.] That is not likely, Joan.
JOAN. What is it stands in the way, mistress?
CLARA. Briars, Joan. Thorns of pride, and many another sharp and hurting thing.
JOAN. Then take you my counsel, mistress, and have his lordship when he do offer next.
CLARA. I"ll think of what you say, Joan. There comes a moment when the heart is tired of being spurned, and it would fain get into shelter. [A slight pause.
JOAN. [Looking through the window.] Look up quickly, mistress.
There"s Hooper.
CLARA. [Getting up.] Then I"ll run away. May all be well with you, dear Joan. [CLARA goes out.
[JOAN seats herself in a high-backed chair and opens her fan. MILES enters, carrying a small box.
MILES. Already astir, Miss Clara. "Tis early hours to be sure for one of our London beauties.
[He advances towards her, and she stretches out her hand without rising. He takes it ceremoniously.
JOAN. You may sit down, if you like, Mister Hooper.
[MILES places a chair in front of JOAN, and sits down on it.
MILES. [Untying the parcel.] I"ve been so bold as to bring you a little keepsake from my place in town, Missy.
JOAN. How kind you are, Mister Miles.
MILES. You"ll be able to fancy yourself in Bond Street when you see it, Miss Clara.
JOAN. Now, you do excite me, Mister Hooper.
MILES. [Opening the box and taking out a handsome spray of bright artificial flowers.] There, what do you say to that, Miss? And we can do you the same in all the leading tints.
JOAN. O, "tis wonderful modish. I declare I never did see anything to beat it up in town.