ANDREW. And is this all that you can say to me to-day, Mill? MILLIE. Yes, Andrew, ’tis all. And now, ’tis very late, and I have got to dress myself. ELIZABETH. [_Calling loudly from above_.] Millie, what are you stopping for? Come you up here and get your gown on, do. [MILLIE _looks haughtily at_ ANDREW _as she passes him_. _She goes slowly out of the room_. [ANDREW _picks up the flowers and stands holding them_, _looking disconsolately down upon them_. MAY _comes in_, _furtively_. MAY. All alone, Andrew? Has Millie gone to put her fine gown on? ANDREW. Yes, Millie’s gone to dress herself. MAY. O that’s a beautiful nosegay, Andrew. Was it brought for Mill? ANDREW. Yes, May, but she won’t have it. MAY. Millie don’t like you very much, Andrew, do she? ANDREW. Millie’s got quite changed towards me since last time. MAY. And when was that, Andrew? ANDREW. Why, last time was the evening of the Fair, May. MAY. When I was hid in the cupboard yonder, Andrew? ANDREW. So you were, May. Well, can’t you recollect how ’twas that she spoke to me then? MAY. O yes, Andrew, and that I can. ’Twas a quist a-cooing in the tree one time—and then—she did recollect herself and did sharpen up her tongue and ’twas another sort of bird what could drive its beak into the flesh of anyone—so ’twas. ANDREW. O May—you say she did recollect herself—what do you mean by those words? MAY. You see, she did give her word that she would speak sharp and rough to you. ANDREW. What are you talking about, May? Do you mean that the tongue of her was not speaking as the heart of her did feel? MAY. I guess ’twas sommat like that, Andrew. ANDREW. O May, you have gladdened me powerful by these words. MAY. But, O you must not tell of me, Andrew. ANDREW. I will never do so, May—only I shall know better how to be patient, and to keep the spirit of me up next time that she do strike out against me. MAY. I’m not a-talking of Mill, Andrew. ANDREW. Who are you talking of then, I’d like to know? MAY. ’Twas Annet. ANDREW. What was? MAY. Annet who was dressed up in the cloak and bonnet of Millie that night and who did speak with you so gentle and nice. ANDREW. Annet! ELIZABETH. [_Is heard calling_.] There, father, come along down and give your face a wash at the pump. MAY. Let’s go quick together into the garden, Andrew, and I’ll tell you all about it and how ’twas that Annet acted so. [_She seizes_ ANDREW’S _hand and pulls him out of the room with her_. [_Curtain_.] ACT III.—Scene 2. _A few minutes later_. ELIZABETH _stands tying her bonnet strings before a small mirror on the wall_. DANIEL _is mopping his face with a big_, _bright handkerchief_. ANNET, _dressed for church_, _is by the table_. _She sadly takes up the nosegay of flowers which_ ANDREW _brought for_ MILLIE, _and moves her hand caressingly over it_.