MILLIE. Annet seems to like them better than I did. DANIEL. Well, my wench—you be tricked out as though you was off to the horse show. Mother, there bain’t no one as can beat our wench in looks anywhere this side of the country. ELIZABETH. She’s right enough in the clothing of her, but ’twould be better if her looks did match the garments more. Come, Millie, can’t you appear pleasanter like on your wedding day? MILLIE. I’m very thirsty, Mother. Could I have a drink of water before we set out? ELIZABETH. And what next, I should like to know? MILLIE. ’Tis only a drink of water that I’m asking for. DANIEL. Well, that’s reasonable, Mother, bain’t it? ELIZABETH. Run along and get some for your cousin, May. [MAY _runs out of the room_. DANIEL. Come you here, Andrew, did you ever see a wench to beat ourn in looks, I say? ANDREW. [_Who has remained near_ ANNET _without moving_.] ’Tis very fine that Millie’s looking. DANIEL. Fine, I should think ’twas. You was a fine looking wench, Mother, the day I took you to church, but ’tis my belief that Millie have beat you in the appearance of her same as the roan heifer did beat th’ old cow when the both was took along to market. Ah, and did fetch very near the double of what I gived for the dam. [MAY _returns carrying a glass bowl full of water_. MAY. Here’s a drink of cold water, Millie. I took it from the spring. [MILLIE _takes the bowl_. _At the same moment a loud knocking is heard at the outside door_. ELIZABETH. Who’s that, I should like to know? [MILLIE _sets down the bowl on the table_. _She listens with a sudden intent_, _anxiety on her face as the knock is repeated_. DANIEL. I’ll learn anyone to come meddling with me on a day when ’tis marrying going on. [_The knocking is again heard_. MILLIE. [_To_ MAY, _who would have opened the door_.] No, no. ’Tis I who will open the door. [_She raises the latch and flings the door wide open_. GILES _disguised as a poor and bent old man_, _comes painfully into the room_. ELIZABETH. We don’t want no beggars nor roadsters here to-day, if you please. DANIEL. Ah, and that us don’t. Us be a wedding party here, and ’tis for you to get moving on, old man. MILLIE. He is poor and old. And he has wandered far, in the heat of the morning. Look at his sad clothing. ANDREW. [_To_ ANNET.] I never heard her put so much gentleness to her words afore. MILLIE. And ’tis my wedding day. He shall not go uncomforted from here. ELIZABETH. I never knowed you so careful of a poor wretch afore, Millie. ’Tis quite a new set out, this. MILLIE. I am in mind of another, who may be wandering, and hungered, and in poor clothing this day. MAY. Give him something quick, Aunt, and let him get off so that we can start for the wedding. MILLIE. [_Coming close to_ GILES.] What is it I can do for you, master? GILES. ’Tis only a drink of water that I ask, mistress.