GEORGE. [_Stepping forward till he is by_ CLARA’S _side_.] No, and that I will not do. ’Tis little enough as I holds, but what little, I’ll keep it. CLARA. [_To_ GEORGE.] Those words are like a frail bridge on which I can stand for a moment. Georgie, do you remember the days when you used to lead me by the hand into the deep parts of the wood, lifting me over the briars and the brambles so that I should not be hurt by their thorns? GEORGE. Hark you here, Clara. This once I’ll speak. I never had but one true love, and that was a little maid what would run through the woods and over all the meadows, her hand in mine. I learnt she the note of every bird. And when th’ evening was come, us would watch together till th’ old mother badger did get from out of her hole, and start hunting in the long grasses. CLARA. [_Taking_ GEORGE’S _hand_.] Then, Georgie, there was no need for the disguise that I put upon myself. GEORGE. Do you think as the moon can hide her light when there baint no cloud upon the sky, Clara? CLARA. Georgie, I went in fear of what this gold and silver might raise up between you and me. THOMAS. That’s all finished and done with now, my maid. If I’d a hundred sisters, George should have the pick of them, he should. EMILY. Thank you. Thomas. One of your sisters is about enough. LUKE. [_Who has been sitting with_ JOAN’S _hand in his_.] Hark you here, mistress. There’s many a cloudy morning turns out a sunshiny day. Baint that a true saying, Joan? JOAN. [_Looking up radiantly_.] O that it is, dear Luke. LORD LOVEL. Miss Clara, it seems that there is nothing more to be said. EMILY. And that’s the most sensible thing as has been spoke this long while. Thomas, your sister favours you in being a poor, grizzling sort of a muddler. She might have took up with this young man, who has a very respectable appearance. LORD LOVEL. [_Coming forward to_ GEORGE _and shaking his hand_.] I’m proud to make your acquaintance, sir. EMILY. [_Rising angrily_.] Come Thomas, come Luke, come Clara. Us might be a barn full of broody hens the way we be set around of this here table. ’Twill be midnight afore the things is cleared away and washed up. THOMAS. What if it be, Emily. ’Tisn’t very often as I gets the chance of minding how ’twas in times gone past. Ah, I was a young man in those days, too, I was. EMILY. And ’tis a rare old addle head as you be got now, Thomas. JESSIE. [_Slipping her hand into_ THOMAS’S.] O do let us sit up till midnight, Dad. ROBIN. I shall eat a smartish lot more if we does. [_Curtain_.] MY MAN JOHN CHARACTERS MRS. GARDNER. WILLIAM, _her son_. JOHN, _his farm hand_. SUSAN, _their maid_. JULIA, _the owner of Luther’s Farm_. LAURA, CHRIS, NAT, TANSIE, _gipsies_. ACT I.—Scene 1.