JOHN (_gazing at her in astonishment_). But G.o.d bless me, they wouldn't call you young! (SARAH _turns up her nose disgustedly._) I missed you. Man, I was looking for you all roads.

SARAH. I'm not a fool sort of young girl that you can just pa.s.s an idle hour or two with, John Murray, mind that.

JOHN. I never thought that of you, Sarah.

SARAH. Some people think that.

JOHN (_astonished_). No.

SARAH. They do. There's Andy just after warning me this morning about making a fool of myself.

JOHN (_puzzled_). But you never done that, Sarah.

SARAH. Well, he was just after giving me advice about going round flirting with Tom, d.i.c.k and Harry.

JOHN. Ah no. You never done that. Sure I knowed you this years and years, and you never had a boy to my knowing.

SARAH (_offended_). Well I had, plenty. Only I just wouldn't take them. I refused more than three offers in my time.

JOHN (_incredulously_). Well! Well! And you wouldn't have them!

SARAH. No.

JOHN. Why now?

SARAH (_looking at him meaningly_). Well--I liked somebody else better.

JOHN (_piqued_). Did he--the somebody--did he never ask you?

SARAH. He might yet, maybe.

JOHN (_hopelessly to himself_). I wonder would it be any use then me asking her.

SARAH. And I'm beginning to think he is a long time thinking about it.

(_Knocking at the door._)

JOHN (_angrily_). Ach! Who's that?

BROWN (_opening yard door and looking in_). Me, sir. Mr. Dan wants to know could you not come out a minute, and show the gentlemen what way you can stop the feedboard working.

JOHN. Don't you know yourself, you stupid headed lump you. Away back at once. (BROWN _hurriedly closes the door after an inquiring glance at the pair._) That's them servant men for you. He knowed rightly what way it worked, only he was just curious. (_Savagely._) He's a stupid creature, anyway.

SARAH. I think all men is stupid. They never see things at all.

JOHN. Now, Sarah, sure women are just as bad. There's Mary. She's bright enough someways, but others--ach----

SARAH. Mary needs someone--a woman--to look after her. Somebody that knows how to manage a house and save money. She's lost running about here. Now, I had a young girl with me once was a wild useless thing when she came, and when she left me six months after, there wasn't a better trained, nor as meek a child in the whole country.

JOHN. And you can manage a house, Sarah, and well, too. Can't you?

SARAH. I ran the house for Andy there twenty years and more, and I never once had to ask him for a pound. And what's more, I put some into the bank every quarter.

JOHN. Did you now? (_He looks at her in wondering admiration._)

SARAH. Yes. And I cleared five pounds on b.u.t.ter last half year.

JOHN (_with growing wonder_). Did you?

SARAH. And made a profit of ten pounds on eggs alone this year already.

JOHN (_unable to contain himself any longer_). Sarah, will you marry me?

SARAH (_coyly_). Oh, John, this is very sudden. (_Knocking at yard door._) I will. I will. Will you tell them when they come in?

JOHN (_now that the ordeal has been pa.s.sed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable_). Well, I would rather you waited a few days, and then we could let them know, canny, don't you know, Sarah. Break the news soft, so to speak. Eh?

SARAH (_disappointedly_). Well, if you want it particular that way I--(_knocking_).

JOHN (_going to door_). Aye, I'd rather you did. (_He goes to the door and opens it and_ MARY _comes in._)

MARY. I peeped through the window and I thought, perhaps, it would be better to knock first. It's a nice evening Miss McMinn. (_She takes off her hat and flings it carelessly on a chair._) Where's Uncle Dan?

I want to see him.

JOHN. He'll be in soon enough. He's out showing Andy and Mackenzie the thresher.

MARY (_laughing_). Uncle Dan! What does he know about----(_she stops short, remembering that_ SARAH _is present._) Mr. Mackenzie?

SARAH. Yes. He's a gentleman, a friend of ours, engaged in the engineering business, who has a large place of his own in Scotland, and we brought him over here to see your Uncle Dan about the invention he's working at.

JOHN. You stop here, Mary, with Sarah, and get the tea ready. You should have been in the house when company was coming. Where were you?

MARY. Oh, just down the loaning.

JOHN. Who with?

MARY. Alick McCready.

JOHN (_sternly_). Aye. You're gay fond of tralloping about with the boys.

SARAH. He's not just the sort of young man I would like to see in your company, Mary.

MARY (_impertinently_). It's none of your business whose company I was in.

JOHN (_disapprovingly_). Now, Mary, remember your manners in front of your elders, and mind you must always show Miss McMinn particular respect. (_Impressively_). Particular respect. (_Going towards yard door._) And you can show Sarah what you have in the house, and do what she bids you. Them's my orders. (_He goes out._)

SARAH (_looking disapprovingly at_ MARY). I wonder a girl like you has no more sense than to go gallivanting about at this time of day with boys, making talk for the whole country side.

MARY (_sharply_). I don't have to run after them to other people's houses anyway.