Excerpt from The Wedding Feast: A Tragic Drama in Three Acts, With a Prologue, Hallowe'en

Jock. I cannot hold back longer. The love leaps to my lips when I see her. I must ask her to-night.

Kitty. And what will she say, think you?

Jock I have her good will, I believe.

Kitty. Don't be too sure.

Jock. The ribbon she gave me.

Kitty. Winnie's learning women's ways.

Jock. And the blushes I still in her cheeks.

Kitty. I saw redder ones yestermorn when Edgar, the troubadour, greeted us.

Jock. Who.?

Madam. A roving nobody that's passed through the village lately. Quit your teasing, Kitty.

Kitty Oh! only brothers may tease, I see.

Madam. I have long looked for it, Jock. May God speed you to her heart. (Exit R 3 E)

Kitty. And me to the cider-shelf. (Exit L 2 E)

Jock. And me to the snow-drift. (Enter Winnie R 3 E)

Winnie. Jock!

Jock. (At D F) Winnie! A new gown? How dainty!

Winnie. Nay, my old best one, but trimmed a bit here.

Jock. For the party to-night?

Winnie. For - the party to-night.

Jock. Oh! you should be robed in silks, Winnie. (She starts) The bit of red becomes you like his new gorget the robin in spring. But the wrappings? You are not going out? Its cutting cold. Oh! to the milk-shed, yes. Good-bye, then.

Winnie (Apart) He thinks I called him back to look at my gown.

Jock. We shall have something to say to each other to-night, Winnie. (Exit D F)

Winnie. Oh! I can't tell them. What if Jock should - (Sleigh bells) Hark! Bells! He's coming. (Re-enter Madam R 3 E)

Madam. (With dishes, singing softly) And wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a king. Watch the wheat-cakes for me, Winnie dear, and turn them when they're brown. What! anew trimming on your gown. This is what has kept you upstairs so much of late. So pretty! Kisses her) Tut! the cakes are burning. (Goes to hearth. Enter Edgar L'Estrange at D F)

Edgar. Winifred.

Winnie. My Lord. (Re-enter Kitty with cider-jars L 2 E)

Kitty. Welcome, Edgar L'Estrange.

Madam. (Turning) So this is Edgar L'Estrange.

Edgar. I am known, I perceive.

Kitty. Yes, indeed. Take a handful of nuts and as many apples as you can bite your teeth into. (Swings one toward him)

Madam. Ay, stay by our fireside, minstrel, and sing us a song to gladden the guests.

Kitty. Or recite a love-tale. It's Hallowe'en.

Edgar. A love-tale? Listen, ladies. (Drawing Winnie to him) For this cheek, I have forsworn a vow.

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