[It will be understood that great part of the foregoing, as well as the narrative parts of what follows, is related by Father Christmas, in his character of Chorus. He enters into details about the devil's wonderful spinning with a turn (spinning-wheel) of his own invention, that took wool from the fleece, without carding, and passed it into the spinster's hands all ready for knitting or weaving. He also related many other surprising exploits of these sable gentry, such as their church-building in out-of-the-way places, like that of St. Levan, of their amiable intercourse with witches, &c. Thus, as fancy dictated, he entertained his audience until the curtain rose.] [7] We next behold Squire Lovell's kitchen, with Jone, rather the worse for liquor, on a chimney-stool or bench in a broad and deep fire-place, such as used to be found in every West-country mansion, when wood and turf were the only fuel. She makes awful groans and screeches, till Duffy enters. Then Jone says "Oh Duffy, you can't think what cramps I have in my stomach and wind in my head, that's making it quite light. Help me over stairs to bed, and you wait up to give master his supper." The old housekeeper is led off by Duffy, who soon returns and seats herself on the chimney-stool. Then Huey Lenine enters and says:—"What cheer, Duffy, my dear? Now thee cus'nt (can'st not) say that the lanes are longer than the love, when I'm come to see thee with this rainy weather." "Joy of my heart," said she, "come by the fire and dry thyself." Huey sits on the outer end of the chimney-stool. After a long silence, the following dialogue takes place:— Duffy:—"Why dos'nt thee speak to me than, Huey?" Huey:—"What shall I say than?" Duffy:—"Say thee dos't love me, to be sure." Huey:—"So I do." Duffy:—"That's a dear.—Brave pretty waistcoat on to you, than, Huey." Huey:—"Cost pretty money too." Duffy:—"What ded a cost than?" Huey:—"Two and twenty pence, buttons and all." Duffy:—"Take care of an than." Huey:—"So I will." Duffy:—"That's a dear." Another prolonged silence. Huey continues:—"I'm thinkan we will get married next turfey season if thee west (thou wilt.") Duffy:—"Why doesn't thee sit a little nearer than?" Huey:—"Near enough I bla (believe.") Duffy:—"Nearer the fire, I mean. Well, I'll be married to thee any day, though thee art no beauty, to be sure." Huey gets a little nearer. Duffy, putting her hand on his face, "Thy face is as rough as Morvah Downs, that was ploughed and never harved (harrowed) they say; but I'll have thee for all that and fill up with putty all the pock-mark pits and seams; then paint them over and make thee as pretty as a new wheelbarrow." The squire is heard outside calling his dogs. Duffy starts up in a fright, seizes a furze-prong, and says, "Master will be here in a minute, jump into the huccarner (wood-corner) and I'll cover[8] thee up with the furze." Huey hesitates.