Six Plays by Lady Florence Henrietta Fisher Darwin Part 9

ELIZABETH. You'll have enough words presently. Hark, she's coming down with Father now.

[ANDREW turns eagerly towards the door. The farmer enters with MILLIE clinging to his arm, she wears her ordinary dress. Her hair is ruffled and in disorder, and she has been crying.

DANIEL. Andrew, my lad, good morning to you.

ANDREW. Good morning, master.

DANIEL. You mustn't mind a bit of an April shower, my boy. 'Tis the way with all maids on their wedding morn. Isn't that so, Mother?

ELIZABETH. I wouldn't make such a show of myself if I was you, Mill.

Go upstairs this minute and wash your face and smooth your hair and put yourself ready for church.

DANIEL. Nay, she be but just come from upstairs, Mother. Let her bide quiet a while with young Andrew here; whilst do you come along with me and get me out my Sunday coat. 'Tis time I was dressed for church too, I'm thinking.

ELIZABETH. I don't know what's come to the house this morning, and that's the truth. Andrew, I'll not have you keep Millie beyond a five minutes. 'Tis enough of one another as you'll get later on, like. Father, go you off upstairs for your coat. 'Tis hard work for me, getting you all to act respectable, that 'tis.

[DANIEL and ELIZABETH leave the room. ANDREW moves near MILLIE and holds out both his hands. She draws herself haughtily away.

ANDREW. Millie--'tis our wedding day.

MILLIE. And what if it is, Andrew.

ANDREW. Millie, it cuts me to the heart to see your face all wet with tears.

MILLIE. Did you think to see it otherwise, Andrew?

ANDREW. No smile upon your lips, Millie.

MILLIE. Have I anything to smile about, Andrew?

ANDREW. No love coming from your eyes, Mill.

MILLIE. That you have never seen, Andrew.

ANDREW. And all changed in the voice of you too.

MILLIE. What do you mean by that, Andrew?

ANDREW. Listen, Millie--'tis a month since I last spoke with you.

Do you recollect? 'Twas the evening of the great Fair.

MILLIE And what if it was?

ANDREW. Millie, you were kinder to me that night than ever you had been before. I seemed to see such a gentle look in your eyes then.

And when you spoke, 'twas as though--as though--well--'twas one of they quists a-cooing up in the trees as I was put in mind of.

MILLIE. Well, there's nothing more to be said about that now, Andrew. That night's over and done with.

ANDREW. I've carried the thought of it in my heart all this time, Millie.

MILLIE. I never asked you to, Andrew.

ANDREW. I've brought you a nosegay of flowers, Mill. They be rare blossoms with grand names what I can't recollect to all of them.

[MILLIE takes the nosegay, looks at it for an instant, and then lets it fall.

MILLIE. I have no liking for flowers this day, Andrew.

ANDREW. O Millie, and is it so as you and me are going to our marriage?

MILLIE. Yes, Andrew. 'Tis so. I never said it could be different.

I have no heart to give you. My love was given long ago to another.

And that other has forgotten me by now.

ANDREW. O Millie, you shall forget him too when once you are wed to me, I promise you.

MILLIE. 'Tis beyond the power of you or any man to make me do that, Andrew.

ANDREW. Millie, what's the good of we two going on to church one with t'other?

MILLIE. There's no good at all, Andrew.

ANDREW. Millie, I could have sworn that you had begun to care sommat more than ordinary for me that last time we were together.

MILLIE. Then you could have sworn wrong. I care nothing for you, Andrew, no, nothing. But I gave my word I'd go to church with you and be wed. And--I'll not break my word, I'll not.

ANDREW. And is this all that you can say to me to-day, Mill?

MILLIE. Yes, Andrew, 'tis all. And now, 'tis very late, and I have got to dress myself.

ELIZABETH. [Calling loudly from above.] Millie, what are you stopping for? Come you up here and get your gown on, do.

[MILLIE looks haughtily at ANDREW as she pa.s.ses him. She goes slowly out of the room.

[ANDREW picks up the flowers and stands holding them, looking disconsolately down upon them. MAY comes in, furtively.

MAY. All alone, Andrew? Has Millie gone to put her fine gown on?

ANDREW. Yes, Millie's gone to dress herself.

MAY. O that's a beautiful nosegay, Andrew. Was it brought for Mill?

ANDREW. Yes, May, but she won't have it.

MAY. Millie don't like you very much, Andrew, do she?

ANDREW. Millie's got quite changed towards me since last time.