MRS. A. Thank you kindly. Miss Boltwood, I am as well as can be expected. MISS B. Lay aside your cloaks, ladies. Mandy, assist the ladies. (_They remove their wraps._) MRS. S. Did I not see your niece Betty flitting through the lane as I came by? MISS B. It may be. I sent her on an errand to Mrs. Abiel Dickinson’s. ’Tis a safe walk to the Meadow Road. (_She moves to the fireplace and makes the tea._) MRS. S. (_looking meaningly at the others_). Laws-a-massy! Is she throwing the girl at William’s head? MRS. A. Sh! She does not know how enamored the young people are. When she learns it--poor Betty! MISS B. (_turning from the fireplace_). I pray you, ladies, draw up to the table ere the tea be cold. (_They seat themselves._ MANDY _brings the teapot and places it before_ MISS B. MANDY _looks longingly at the tea, sniffs it, and licks her lips behind their backs. The ladies pour the tea into their saucers and blow it noisily, crooking their little fingers as they raise the saucers to their lips. At a sign from_ MISS B., MANDY _exits_.) ’Tis a pity I have none of my rose conserve to give you. I sent it all to my friends in England by the Christmas packet. MRS. S. Your conserve is marvelous, Miss Boltwood. The receipt is a secret, I presume. MISS B. A family heirloom, Mrs. Strong. Pray tell me, ladies, if the tea be sufficiently brewed. I can assure you ’tis prime Bohea and no “Liberty Tea”! (_She laughs a little scornfully._) MRS. C. ’Tis of an elegant strength and ’tis an elegant tea. I feel certain no duty was paid on it. Was it honestly smuggled, my dear Miss Boltwood? (_All laugh._) MISS B. Indeed it was, and through Judge Ingram too. A poor Tory he! MRS. A. Mayhap the good man will become a patriot in time. (_Helps herself to a cake._) MRS. S. We ought to scorn to use anything taxed, as the king hath used the Colonies so unjustly! Still, ’twould be a hardship to give up the tea. MISS B. Well, I am neither Tory nor patriot; so I drink smuggled tea, and shall drink it till I am under better advisement. Pray take of the candied cherries, Mrs. Strong. May I fill your cup, Mrs. Cowles? (_The knocker sounds._ MANDY _passes through from_ L. _to_ R. _She ushers in_ JUDGE INGRAM, _who carries a newspaper. All rise and curtsey._) Good-afternoon, Stephen Ingram. JUDGE. Good-afternoon, Miss Lavinia. Pray do not let me interrupt your tea-drinking, ladies. I but stopped in passing to leave Miss Boltwood’s Boston _Gazette_. The news is recent--but four days old--and of great moment. (_He opens the paper._) The Provincial Congress at Lexington is adjourned. ’Tis said General Gage is resolved to crush the rebellion. (_Ladies show excitement._) He has now in Boston four thousand disciplined men. I fear me there will be war, long and bloody, before our king is master once more. MRS. C. Master! Never again in these colonies! (_The ladies rise in indignation._) MRS. S. Our minutemen will match with any British soldiers!