[LORD LOVEL _suddenly turns round and perceives_ CLARA _seated by_ MAGGIE _at the table_. _He quickly goes towards her_, _holding out his hand_. LORD LOVEL. Miss Clara. Tell me what is going on. [_Looking at her cap and apron_.] Why have you dressed yourself like this? THOMAS. Come, come. There seems to be some sort of a hitch here. The young gentleman has very likely stopped a bit too long at the Spotted Cow on his way up. JOAN. [_Very faintly_, _looking at_ CLARA.] O do you stand by me now. CLARA. [_Lays her hand on_ LORD LOVEL’S _arm_.] Come with me, my lord. I think I can explain everything if you will only step outside with me. Come—[_She leads him swiftly through the door which_ GEORGE _shuts behind them_.] [JOAN _leans back in her chair as though she were going to faint_. THOMAS. Well, now—but that’s a smartish wench, getting him out so quiet, like. George, you’d best step after them to see as the young man don’t annoy her in any way. EMILY. That young person can take good care of herself. Sit you down, Thomas and George, and get on with your eating, if you can. JESSIE. Why did he think Joan was our aunt, mother? EMILY. ’Cause he was in that state when a man don’t know his right leg from his left arm. GEORGE. [_Who has remained standing_.] Look you here, Master Thomas—see here mistress. ’Tis time as there was an end of this cursed play acting, or whatever ’tis called. EMILY. Play acting there never has been in my house, George, I’d like for you to know. GEORGE. O yes there have been, mistress. And ’tis time it was finished. [_Pointing to_ JOAN.] You just take and ask that young person what she do mean by tricking herself out in Miss Clara’s gowns and what not, and by having herself called by Miss Clara’s own name. MILES. [_Taking_ JOAN’S _hand in his_.] My sweet Miss must pay no attention to the common fellow. I dare him to speak like that of my little lady bride. GEORGE. A jay bird in peacock’s feathers, that’s what ’tis. And she’s took you all in, the every one of you. JESSIE. O George, isn’t she really our aunt from London? GEORGE. No, that she baint, Miss Jessie. THOMAS. Come, come, my lad. I never knew you act so afore. EMILY. ’Tis clear where he have spent his time this afternoon. LUKE. Nay, nay, I never did see George inside of the Spotted Cow in all the years I’ve known of him. George baint made to that shape. ROBIN. Then who is Aunt Clara, George? GEORGE. She who be just gone from out of the room, Master Robin, and none other. THOMAS. Come, George, this talk do sound so foolish. GEORGE. I can’t help that, master. Foolish deeds do call for foolish words, may be. MILES. My pretty Miss is almost fainting, I declare. [_He pours out water for_ JOAN _and bends affectionately over her_.] Put the drunken fellow outside and let’s have an end of this.