EMILY. [_Overhearing her_.] O, you don’t, don’t you. Well, Clara, I was always one for plain words, and I say ’tis a pity when folks do get above the position to which they was bred, and for all the fine satins and plumes upon you, the body what’s covered by them belongs to Clara Spring, what’s sister to Thomas. And all the world knows what Thomas is—A poor, mean spirited, humble born man with but two coats to the back of him, and with not a thought to the mind of him which is not foolishness. And I judge from by what they be in birth, and not by the bags of gold what have been left them by any old madams in their dotage. So now you see how I takes it all and you and me can start fair, like. JOAN. [_To_ LUKE.] O Mister—Mister Jenner, I feel so faint. MILES. [_Taking her fan_.] Allow me. [_He begins to fan her_.] I assure you she means nothing by it. It’s her way. You see, she knows no better. LUKE. I’d fetch out summat for her to eat if I was you, missis. ’Tis famished as the poor young maid must be. EMILY. She should have come when ’twas meal time then. I don’t hold with bites nor drinks in between whiles. JOAN. O I’m dying for a glass of milk—or water would do as well. MILES. My dear young lady—anything to oblige. [_Turning to Jessie_.] Come, my little maid, see if you can’t make yourself useful in bringing a tray of refreshment for your auntie. And you [_turning to Robin_] trot off and help sister. EMILY. Not if I know it. Stop where you are, Jess. Robin, you dare to move. If Clara wants to eat and drink I’m afeared she must wait till supper time. ROBIN. There be chicken and sparrow grass for supper, Aunt. JESSIE. And a great pie of gooseberries. JOAN. [_Faintly_.] O I couldn’t touch a mouthful of food, don’t speak to me about it. ROBIN. I likes talking of dinner. After I’ve done eating of it, I likes next best to talk about it. LUKE. See here, missis. Let’s have a glass of summat cool for Miss Clara. EMILY. [_Calling angrily_.] Maggie, Maggie, where are you, you great lazy-boned donkey? MAGGIE. [_Comes in from the back kitchen_, _her apron held to her eyes_.] Did you call me, mistress? EMILY. Get up a bucket of water from the well. Master’s sister wants a drink. MAGGIE. [_Between sobs_.] Shall I bring it in the bucket, or would the young lady like it in a jug? EMILY. [_With exasperation_.] There’s no end to the worriting that other folks do make. JESSIE. Let me go and help poor Maggie, mother. ROBIN. [_To_ JOAN.] Do you know what Maggie’s crying for, Aunt Clara? JOAN. I’m sure I don’t, little boy. ROBIN. ’Tis because she’s got to go. Mother’s sent her off. ’Twas what she said of mother’s tongue.