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,