_(Christiana enters up stage, door L., There is the distant sound of rough laughter. She looks out of L. C.)_ {Chris.} What a lot of animals! Ugh! How awful common people look when they're clean, _(comes down C.)_ _(Izod's head appears in doorway L.)_ {Izod.} Christie! {Chris.} _(turning sharply)_ Hallo! {Izod.} _(entering)_ What's wrong with the Squire? {Chris.} _(R. C.)_ Ill, she says. Hush! _(pointing, to door R.)_ She's in there. What do you want, dear? {Izod.} _(C.)_ Coin, _(falls back up R. C., as Gunnion enters door L., much perturbed. He is attired in his grandest, wearing a large rosette of coloured ribbons)_ {Gun.} Where's Squire? that's what I want to know! {Chris.} Hush! she's in her room. What's the matter? {Gun.} _(sitting on stool C., wiping his forehead)_ Hunpunctuality's the matter--a lot of 'em's not come yet. The fiddle ain't come; the _Mercury_ ain't come. I don't give 'em a single sentiment till _Mercury's_ here to take me down. {Izod.} You want somebody here to take you down. {Gun.} Fell the grocer's not come. If he 'adn't been harsked he'd have 'owled. Now he have been harsked, he's for marching in late like a prince, _(rising)_ I'm the master of the ceremonies, I am --take care he don't find hisself heaved out. {Chris.} You're quite right, Gunnion; act up to your ribbons. {Gun.} _(going to door L.)_ Ay, that I'll do. The Squire's made me what I am this blessed day. I'm Squire's representative, I am, and they'll find me darned unpleasant. _(He goes off L., muttering.)_ John Parsley ain't come; old Buckle ain't come; Mouldy Green ain't come. _(Izod comes down R., C.)_ {Chris.} _(R. to Izod)_ Go away, Izod, and keep quiet till you're wanted. {Izod.} _(down R., C.)_ I tell you I want coin, _(sniffing)_ I've got such an awful cold through lying under those ricks in the mist. I want coin. {Chris.} I haven't any. {Izod.} Then I don't open my mouth to the parson about what I saw last night. I tell you I want coin. {Chris.} What for? {Izod.} _(reflectively)_ For--for--to buy a pocket- handkerchief. {Chris.} _(hurriedly takes out her purse)_ How much? {Izod.} _(after consideration)_ Six and sixpence. {Chris.} _(turns)_ For a pocket-handkerchief! {Izod.} I want rather a large size pocket-handkerchief. {Chris.} _(gives him the money, then listens--looking towards R.)_ Somebody's coming--go away. _(Izod slouches off L., as Felicity enters door R.)_ _(C. to Fel.)_ Now then, you! _(meets Fel. C.)_ {Fel.} _(R. C, turning)_ Yes, Miss Christiana. _(meeting Chris, C.)_ _(Chris, takes a letter from the pocket of her apron, and holds it up, and then puts it behind back.)_