JOHN. [_Rising and about to set off_.] Ah, ’tis a powerful lot of calming as Master William do require. But you be the one for to give it him. You just bide where you do sit now whilst I goes and fetches him, mistress. LAURA. O that I will, my good, dear John. [_Curtain_.] ACT II.—Scene 2. _The same wood_. WILLIAM _and_ JOHN _come up_. WILLIAM _carries a large market basket containing vegetables_. JOHN. [_Looking round and seeing no one_.] Bless my soul, but ’twas on the seat as I did leave she. WILLIAM. We have kept her waiting a bit too long whilst we were cutting the green stuff. And now ’twill be best to let matters bide over till to-morrow. JOHN. Why, master ’tis my belief as you be all of a-tremble like. WILLIAM. I wish we were well out of this business, John. ’Tis not to my liking in any way. JOHN. ’Tis a fine looking lady, and that ’tis. You take and court her, Master William. WILLIAM. How am I to court the wench when she’s not here? JOHN. [_Pointing_.] Look yonder, master, there she comes through them dark trees. WILLIAM. You’ve got to bide somewhere nigh me, John. I could not be left alone with a wench who’s a stranger to me. JOHN. Don’t you get flustered, Master William. See here, I’ll hide me ahind of yon bushes, and if so be as you should want me, why, there I’m close at hand. WILLIAM. I’d rather you did stand at my side, John. [JOHN _hides himself behind the bushes_. LAURA _comes slowly up_. WILLIAM _stands awkwardly before her_, _saying nothing_. _Presently he takes off his hat and salutes her clumsily and she bows to him_. _For some moments they stand embarrassed_, _looking at one another_. WILLIAM. [_Suddenly bringing out a bunch of carrots from his basket and holding them up_.] See these young carrots, mistress. LAURA. Indeed I do, master. WILLIAM. ’Tisn’t everywhere that you do see such fine grown ones for the time of year. LAURA. You’re right there, master. We have none of them up at our place. WILLIAM. [_Holding them towards her_.] Then be pleased to accept these, mistress. LAURA. [_Taking the carrots_.] Thank you kindly, master. [_There is another embarrassed silence_. WILLIAM _looks distractedly from_ LAURA _to his basket_. _Then he takes out a bunch of turnips_. WILLIAM. You couldn’t beat these nowhere, not if you were to try. LAURA. I’m sure you could not, master. WILLIAM. They do call this sort the Early Snowball. ’Tis a foolish name for a table root. LAURA. ’Tis a beautiful turnip. WILLIAM. [_Giving her the bunch_.] You may as well have them too. LAURA. O you’re very kind, master. [_There is another long silence_. WILLIAM _shuffles on his feet_—LAURA _bends admiringly over her gifts_. WILLIAM. There’s young beans and peas and a spring cabbage too, within the basket. I do grow a little of most everything. LAURA. O shall we sit down and look at the vegetables together?