ROD. What is the matter? Have you carried her off? ROB. I have—she is there—look at her—she terrifies me! ROD. (looking at Hannah). Little Nannikin! HAN. (amazed). Roddy-doddy! ROD. My own old love! Why, how came you here? HAN. This brute—he carried me off! Bodily! But I'll show him! (about to rush at Robin). ROD. Stop! (To Rob.) What do you mean by carrying off this lady? Are you aware that once upon a time she was engaged to be married to me? I'm very angry—very angry indeed. ROB. Now I hope this will be a lesson to you in future not to— ROD. Hold your tongue, sir. ROB. Yes, uncle. ROD. Have you given him any encouragement? HAN. (to Rob.). Have I given you any encouragement? Frankly now, have I? ROB. No. Frankly, you have not. Anything more scrupulously correct than your conduct, it would be impossible to desire. ROD. You go away. ROB. Yes, uncle. (Exit Robin.) ROD. This is a strange meeting after so many years! HAN. Very. I thought you were dead. ROD. I am. I died ten years ago. HAN. And are you pretty comfortable? ROD. Pretty well—that is—yes, pretty well. HAN. You don't deserve to be, for I loved you all the while, dear; and it made me dreadfully unhappy to hear of all your goings-on, you bad, bad boy! BALLAD—DAME HANNAH. There grew a little flower 'Neath a great oak tree: When the tempest 'gan to lower Little heeded she: No need had she to cower, For she dreaded not its power— She was happy in the bower Of her great oak tree! Sing hey, Lackaday! Let the tears fall free For the pretty little flower And the great oak tree! BOTH. Sing hey, Lackaday! etc. When she found that he was fickle, Was that great oak tree, She was in a pretty pickle, As she well might be— But his gallantries were mickle, For Death followed with his sickle, And her tears began to trickle For her great oak tree! Sing hey, Lackaday! etc. BOTH. Sing hey, Lackaday! etc. Said she, "He loved me never, Did that great oak tree, But I'm neither rich nor clever, And so why should he? But though fate our fortunes sever, To be constant I'll endeavour, Aye, for ever and for ever, To my great oak tree!' Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.