MAGGIE. O she do look at any one as though they was lower nor the very worms in the ground. And her speaks as though each word did cost she more nor a shilling to bring it out. And see how destructive she be with her fine clothing. A laced petticoat tore to ribbons last night, and to-day yon handkerchief. CLARA. These things are soon mended. [MAGGIE _continues to dust for a few moments_. MAGGIE. The day you comed here, ’twas a bit of ribbon as you did have around of your hair. CLARA. [_After a moment’s hesitation_.] I put it on to keep my hair neat on the journeying. MAGGIE. [_Coming nearer_.] I count as you’ve not missed it, have you? CLARA. Indeed I have, and I think I must have lost it in the hayfield. MAGGIE. ’Tain’t lost. CLARA. Where is it then? MAGGIE. Look here, I could tell you, but I shan’t. CLARA. If you have found it, Maggie, you may keep it. MAGGIE. ’Twould be a fine thing to be a grand serving maid as you be, and to give away ribbons, so ’twould. [CLARA _takes no notice of her and goes on sewing_. MAGGIE. [_More insistently_.] ’Twasn’t me as found the ribbon. CLARA. Who was it then? MAGGIE. I daresay you’d like for to know, but I’m not going to say nothing more about it. [MAGGIE _leans against the table watching_ CLARA _as she sews_. [EMILY _with both the children now come in_. EMILY _carries a basket of potatoes_, _and_ JESSIE _a large bowl_. EMILY. [_Setting down the basket_.] Maggie, you idle, bad girl, whatever are you doing here when master expects you down in the meadow to help with the raking? MAGGIE. I be just a-going off yonder, mistress. EMILY. I’d thank other folk not to bring dressed up fine young serving minxes down here—you was bad enough afore, Maggie, but you’ll be a hundred times worser now. MAGGIE. I’ll be off and help master. I’ve been and put the meat on to boil as you said, missis. [MAGGIE _goes off_. [CLARA _continues to sew_, _quietly_. JESSIE _has put her bowl down on the table_, _and now comes to her side_. ROBIN _also comes close to her_. EMILY _flings herself into a chair for a moment and contemptuously watches them_. JESSIE. We don’t care much about our new aunt, Joan. ROBIN. Dad said as how Aunt would be sure to bring us sommat good from London town in them great boxes. JESSIE. And Aunt has been here two days and more, and she hasn’t brought us nothing. EMILY. Your fine aunt have been too much took up with her fancy gentlemen to think of what would be suitable behaviour towards you children. JESSIE. Will Aunt Clara get married soon? EMILY. ’Tis to be hoped as she will be. Such a set out in the house I have never seen afore in all my days. Young women as is hale and hearty having their victuals took up to their rooms and a-lying in bed till ’tis noon or later. JESSIE. ’Tis only one of them as lies in bed. ROBIN. [_To_ CLARA.] Do you think Aunt has got sommat for us upstairs, Joan?