_Mrs. Cromwell:_ I know, I know. But why must he come here to-night of all in the year? Oliver's like somebody out of the Bible about to-morrow as it is. This will make him worse. I wish John no harm, but--well, I hope he's got a bad horse. _Elizabeth:_ Oliver's mind is made up about the common, whatever happens. John will make no difference. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ You can't pretend he'll make him more temperate. _Elizabeth:_ It's very wrong to take away the common from the people. I think Oliver is right. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Of course he's right. But I'm too old. I've seen too many broken heads. He'll be no righter for a broken head. (BRIDGET CROMWELL, a girl, comes. She takes some eggs from her apron and puts them on a dish on a shelf.) _Bridget:_ Why, grandmother, whose head is to be broken? _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Your father's is like to be. _Bridget:_ You mean to-morrow? _Elizabeth:_ At the meeting, yes. _Bridget:_ But he must do it. Why, the people have fished and kept cattle there longer than any one can remember. Who is an Earl of Bedford to take it away from them? I know I would let my head be broken first. _Elizabeth:_ It is said that the King gave leave. _Bridget:_ Then the King gave what wasn't his to give. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Now, child, don't you encourage your father, too. He's eager enough without that. _Bridget:_ But I must, grandmother. There's too much of this kind of interference everywhere. Father says that Cousin John Hampden says-- _Mrs. Cromwell:_ And that's three of you in one house. And this young Mr. Ireton has ideas, too, I believe. _Bridget:_ Mr. Ireton is twenty-eight. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ That accounts for it. _Bridget:_ You don't think they just ought to be allowed to take the common away, do you, grandmother? _Mrs. Cromwell:_ It makes no matter what I think. _Bridget:_ Of course you don't. None of us do. We couldn't. _Elizabeth:_ You mustn't tease your grandmother, Bridget. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ She's a very old lady, and can't speak for herself. _Bridget:_ I meant no ill manners, grandmother. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Never mind your manners child. But don't encourage your father. He doesn't need it. This house is all commotion as it is. _Bridget:_ I can't help it. There's so much going on everywhere. The King doesn't deal fairly by people, I'm sure. Men like father must say it. _Elizabeth:_ Have you put the lavender in the rooms? _Bridget:_ No. I'll take it now. (She takes a tray from the window and goes out.)