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rs enter from left background, carrying fish, game, and wild fruits, Scarlett in advance of the others. For a moment he stands transfixed by what he sees. Then tiptoes back, beckons to others, and points out the picture. Pantomime of surprise and stifled mirth. SCARLETT (mockingly). Look! Look! Our Sarah hath turned Puritan! While as for Mistress Endicott--! Come, Faunch, a tune, lad, a tune! A wreath for our worthy guest! (Approaching Resolute.) Mistress, 'tis time you learned to trip it about the maypole. I claim your hand for a measure---- SARAH (suddenly returning from seeing to the preparations for feasting which are going on in background). You shall do no such folly. Mistress Resolute shall not dance if she holds that dancing is a sin. Take that in your teeth, Simon Scarlett! SCARLETT. Are you bewitched? Hath the Puritan turned your head? SARAH. My wits, good Simon, are as clear as thine. 'Tis true that the constables put our Bess in the stocks; but 'twas none of Resolute's doing! And when you stole her hence that debt was paid. Moreover, of her own free will she has made a healing brew for our gran'am, and for that I stand her friend. ROBIN WAKELESS (drawing near and hearing the controversy). Is there no mirth left in you, Sarah Scarlett, that you cannot see the jest of making a sniveling Puritan to---- SARAH (promptly and blazingly). Cease your talk, Robin Wakeless! And when you speak of sniveling Puritans, speak of them that do snivel. For though you brought Mistress Endicott here in a rough and unseemly fashion, she has not once winced, no, nor plead for mercy. You are quick to laud a brave front in yourselves: are you less quick to laud it in your neighbors? SCARLETT (as some of the other Merrymount folk gather about the scene). 'Tis true what Sarah says. The maid is not given to whining. (To Resolute, with an entire change of manner.) Well, then, Mistress, though our feast go forward, you shall not sup with us unless it pleases you. Say but the word, and we will take you back to Wollaston, you and your means of industry! SARAH (eagerly). Will you not sup with us first? RESOLUTE. I thank you, Sarah Scarlett. SARAH (delightedly). Come, then! FAUNCH (singing, as he puts his fiddle under his chin, while Scarlett tosses a wreath in the air). "Fortune, my foe, why dost thou frown on me, And will thy favors----" TIB (rushing wildly in from right). Hush your music,
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