Allen. No, I wur allus like an old crow--(_Deborah takes her hand away_)--sitting on a fence, and looking at summat too far off to see. But thee be right partly, lass. Summat has come over me, and made me want what I can’t get more than ever now. Deb. (_Very kindly, r._) What be it? (_With elbows leaning on table, R._) Allen. (_Rises, goes l. c._) Well, I be in love, lass. (_Still looking away from her._) Deb. (_After a pause, during which she has smiled to herself with a happy little sigh, and clasped her hands together in a sort of little joyful ecstacy, unnoticed by Allen._) In love! Allen. I fancy it must be that. I think of her all day and I dream of her all night, and I’m jolly miserable. (_At settle, R._) Deb. (_Demurely._) Have you any reason to suppose that she returns your affection? Allen. I don’t know, her’s never said anything. Deb. Have you? Allen. Me! No, I haven’t said anything. Deb. Most extraordinary that she doesn’t propose. Have you given her any encouragement? (_Leans against settle R._) Allen. Noa--I can’t say as I have, much. (_Goes r.c._) I’ve looked at her, you know--soft like--and sighed. (_Does so._) But her’s mostly been looking t’other way and an’t seen it, and as for saying anything to her--well, I can talk to her all right about other things and joke and laugh wi’ her, but the moment I goes to say I love her--it--it seems as if I’d got a hot potato stuck in my throat. (_Speaking as if she had, turns away to l. corner of r.table, back to Deborah. His manner throughout this scene carries out the idea that it is Deborah he is in love with._) Deb. (_After a pause, with a coquettish smile to herself._) I--I can’t do anything to help thee, I suppose? (_Goes and leans against settle R._) Allen. Do thee think as her could care for a mere common farmer, Deborah? Deb. (_Turning and looking at him earnestly--comes to front of table R._) Well--I think if he were a good farmer, and pleaded very hard, I-- Allen. (_Delighted._) No, lass! Do ’ee really think a girl could? (_Advancing to her._) Deb. (_Putting her hand to stop him with dignity._) A girl might--though, of course, a superior sort of girl, such as she appears to be, might think it presumption for--(_turns away r.puts hand on corner of table R._) Allen. (_Depressed._) Yes--I’m afraid her would. (_Turns away l._) Deb. (_Eagerly turning around again._) Then, of course, she mightn’t. You never can tell till you try. (_Goes to fireplace r. Fish is changed._) Allen. (_Scratching his head._) Blest if I know how to go about it! I say, Deb, you’ve been proposed to, how do they begin? Deb. (_Bending over fire._) Don’t thee think thee’d better tell me who it is and let me ask her for thee? (_Looking slyly round, pauses._) Who be her, Allen? Allen. (_Going up to window R.c._) Ah, I expect thee knows who her be!