DORA. For ever, you foolish child! What's come over you? We parted like the brook yonder about the alder island, to come together again in a moment and to go on together again, till one of us be married. But where is this Mr. Edgar whom you praised so in your first letters? You haven't even mentioned him in your last? EVA. He has gone to London. DORA. Ay, child; and you look thin and pale. Is it for his absence? Have you fancied yourself in love with him? That's all nonsense, you know, such a baby as you are. But you shall tell me all about it. EVA. Not now--presently. Yes, I have been in trouble, but I am happy--I think, quite happy now. DORA (_taking EVA'S hand_). Come, then, and make them happy in the long barn, for father is in his glory, and there is a piece of beef like a house-side, and a plum-pudding as big as the round haystack. But see they are coming out for the dance already. Well, my child, let us join them. _Enter all from barn laughing_. EVA _sits reluctantly under apple tree_. STEER _enters smoking, sits by_ EVA. _Dance_. ACT II. Five years have elapsed between Acts I. and II. SCENE.--_A meadow. On one side a pathway going over a rustic bridge. At back the farmhouse among trees. In the distance a church spire_. DOBSON _and_ DORA. DOBSON. So the owd uncle i' Coomberland be deäd, Miss Dora, beänt he? DORA. Yes, Mr. Dobson, I've been attending on his death-bed and his burial. DOBSON. It be five year sin' ye went afoor to him, and it seems to me nobbut t'other day. Hesn't he left ye nowt? DORA. No, Mr. Dobson. DOBSON. But he were mighty fond o' ye, warn't he? DORA. Fonder of poor Eva--like everybody else. DOBSON (_handing_ DORA _basket of roses_). Not like me, Miss Dora; and I ha' browt these roses to ye--I forgits what they calls 'em, but I hallus gi'ed soom on 'em to Miss Eva at this time o' year. Will ya taäke 'em? fur Miss Eva, she set the bush by my dairy winder afoor she went to school at Littlechester--so I allus browt soom on 'em to her; and now she be gone, will ye taäke 'em, Miss Dora? DORA. I thank you. They tell me that yesterday you mentioned her name too suddenly before my father. See that you do not do so again! DOBSON. Noä; I knaws a deal better now. I seed how the owd man wur vext. DORA. I take them, then, for Eva's sake. [_Takes basket, places some in her dress_. DOBSON. Eva's saäke. Yeas. Poor gel, poor gel! I can't abeär to think on 'er now, fur I'd ha' done owt fur 'er mysen; an' ony o' Steer's men, an' ony o' my men 'ud ha' done owt fur 'er, an' all the parish 'ud ha' done owt fur 'er, fur we was all on us proud on 'er, an' them theer be soom of her oän roses, an' she wur as sweet as ony on 'em--the Lord bless 'er--'er oän sen; an' weänt ye taäke 'em now, Miss Dora, fur 'er saäke an' fur my saäke an' all? DORA. Do you want them back again? DOBSON. Noä, noä! Keep 'em. But I hed a word to saäy to ye.