_Ste._ Hey, Meggy! [_She runs out, left_] Ha, ha, ha! Poor little woman! I'm a villain. I'm twenty villains. [_Eldra steals back unseen and hears him_] To treat my bonny sweet wife so! The cunningest darling that ever said yes to a soldier! I'll make it all right when she comes back, and won't there be a smackin' o' lips! [_Eldra makes signs of joy and revenge and disappears_] Where has she gone? Run off to cry her sweet eyes out, I'll warrant! I'll go find her. [_Exit, left. Eldra and Orson come on, rear_] _Ors._ O, is it true? My faithful heart is blest at last? My rival indeed vanquished? And I--I am your adored one? _Eld._ Yes, but don't be a bigger fool than you can help. _Ors._ Fool, ma'am? _Eld._ There, there, I mean don't forget that you are a man of dignity---- _Ors._ Ah! Don't trouble yourself. _Eld._ And cosset me before folks, like a bumpkin with his first lass. _Ors._ I'll be patient--before company. Though I should just like to show that man of blood what my rights are now. But you mean it, Eldra? This is not another jade's trick? _Eld._ 'Tis true--always barring that my man don't come back to claim me. _Ors._ The fishes keep him! [_Re-enter Stephen_] Ah! _Eld._ [_Whispers sweetly to Orson, then discovers Stephen_] O, here he is! Now, Orson, I know you'll be friends wi' Mr. Stephen. Just to please me now. You see, sir, Orson's been courtin' me many a year, and I had just about give in like a weak woman, when you came and got me all upset somehow, lookin' so much like my man who was drowned at sea, an' his own name too. I did lose my head so at times I could 'a' sworn you were my very man, but what you said about Liz o' Logan brought me to my right mind again, and Orson is willing to make up, and I'm sure we can all be friends, only me and Orson won't be presumin', an' shame take me to think I ever looked so high as a king's man wi' an advancement--though Orson is a man of dignity now--and--sit down, Orson! [_Sits at table and pours ale for herself and Orson_] We take a snip together about this time every mornin'. Orson's got no quarrel with the ale cost, and he does love my raisin' o' bread and cake. _Ors._ And who doesn't let him starve in a ditch! We don't ask you to sit, Mister Stephen. We know our place, and hope you know yours. _Eld._ Ay, a king's man must keep his head high. _Ors._ High, my love? _Eld._ I mean with an advancement. _Ors._ 'Tis well. You know me, Eldra. _Eld._ I hope I do, Orson. _Ors._ And you must own, my dear, that you came to your right mind in very good time. _Eld._ I'm reasonably thankful, Orson. I know what it is to be a soldier's wife. _Ors._ They lie not between linen, I warrant you. _Eld._ Linen? An they get muslin without begging it, they may thank fortune! _Ors._ With never a silk smock for the fair. _Eld._ Silk smock? An a new one comes before the old one drops off they may say their prayers for it! _Ors._ But we'll be snug enough, my dear. _Eld._ That we will!