BETTY. Nay, Mandy, ’tis because aunt lived so many years in England. She thinks there need be no quarrel between the Colonies and the king. Could she but hear William Dickinson defend the cause of our independence---- (_There is the sound of a wagon driven rapidly._ MANDY _runs to the window dish in hand_.) MANDY. Why, dere’s you’ William Dickinson now, a-dashin’ by in de wagon! BETTY (_darting also to the window_). Where? I see only dust. Looked he not up at the window, Mandy? MANDY. No, Miss Betty. He was racin’ dose colts over de groun’! BETTY (_pouting_). And we have not met in two long days! MANDY (_earnestly_). Miss Betty, if you’ aunt knew how lovery you is wid dat William Dickinson, she would prison you in you’ chamber. You know well she can’t ’bide de Dickinsons ’count of de old quarrel ’tween de famblies. BETTY. True, but naught can be said against William. He is the bravest and handsomest minuteman in the company, and---- MANDY. Sh, missy! I hears you’ aunt on de stairs. _Enter_ MISS LAVINIA BOLTWOOD, _handsomely gowned_. MISS B. Cease your chattering, Mandy. Fetch me the egg cakes and the macaroons from the great cupboard. [_Exit_ MANDY. BETTY. With your permission, aunt, I will go abroad to take the air. ’Tis too beauteous a day to remain within. (_Takes off her apron._) MISS B. Then I pray you go down to the Meadow Road and buy me some sage cheese from Mrs. Abiel Dickinson. Should you chance to see young William, chatter not with him. ’Tis not seemly for maidens to talk overmuch with men. _Enter_ MANDY _with a plate of cakes in each hand. She stands listening with the plates slanted so that the cakes are in danger of falling off. She now grins knowingly at_ BETTY _behind_ MISS B.’S _back_. BETTY (_demurely_). I will heed your counsel, aunt. ’Twill be best to wear my new bonnet. The old one is sadly shabby. (_Exit_ BETTY, _who returns in a moment and puts her bonnet on before the mirror_.) MISS B. Mandy, you stupid, lay down the plates and put the teapot to warm. MANDY (_putting teapot on the hearth_). Is you goin’ to give old Mandy jess a leetle tea to-day, missy? I knows tea is powerful ’spensive. Why so, missy? MISS B. Because the Parliament taxes tea. Have you no remembrance of the Boston Tea Party, more than a year agone, when the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor? MANDY. Yes, missy, I recommembers, an’ lots of lady patriarchs stopped drinkin’ tea den. Missy Abiel Dickinson she drink “Liberty Tea,” an’ I helps her pick de raspberry leaves las’ summer---- (_Knocker sounds._) MISS B. There is the knocker, Mandy. Do you attend the door. (_Exit_ MANDY. _She ushers in_ MRS. STRONG, MRS. COWLES _and_ MRS. ADAMS.) Good-afternoon, Mrs. Strong; good-afternoon, Mrs. Cowles; good-afternoon, Mrs. Adams. I hope I see you all well. MRS. S. I am in my usual state of good health, thank you, Miss Boltwood. MRS. C. Save for a slight rheum, I am enjoying the blessing of health, thank you.