[Literature] Charles Dickens: The Village Coquettes - There Are Dark Shadows on the #3/21
ROSE. Why, Mr. Stokes.—
MARTIN. Ignominious fate which—
ROSE. Dear, he must be in a fit! Mr. Stokes!
MARTIN. Eh?—Ah! Miss Rose,—It’s you, is it?
ROSE. Me! Yes, and here have I been waiting all this time, while you were talking nonsense to yourself. Here, I have brought you some beer.
MARTIN. Oh! Miss Rose, if you go on in this way, you’ll bring us to our bier, instead of bringing our beer to us. (Looking round.) You may laugh, if you want to, very much, John.
JOHN. Hoo! hoo! hoo!
ROSE. Be quiet, oaf! And pray, sir (to MARTIN), to what may your most humorous observation refer?
MARTIN. Why, my dear Miss Rose, you know my way,—always friendly,—always thinking of the welfare of those I like best, and very seldom receiving any gratitude in return.
ROSE. I know you very seldom deserve any.
MARTIN. Ah! that’s exactly my meaning; that’s the way, you see. The moment I begin to throw out a hint to one of my dear friends, out comes some unkind and rude remark. But I bear it all for their sakes. I won’t allow you to raise my ill nature,—you shan’t stop me. I was going to say, don’t you think—now don’t you think—that you—don’t be angry—make rather—don’t colour up,—rather too free with Mr. Sparkins Flam?
ROSE. I make free with Mr. Sparkins Flam! Why you odious, insolent creature!
MARTIN. Ah, of course—always the way—I told you so—I knew you’d say that.
ROSE. And you, John, you mean-spirited scarecrow; will you stand there, and see me insulted by an officious, impertinent—
MARTIN. Go on, go on! (A gun fired.) Hallo! (Looking off.) Here they are, the Squire and Mr. Sparkins Flam.
ROSE (hastily adjusting her dress). My goodness! Mr. Spar—run, John, run, there’s a dear!
JOHN (not moving). Very dear, I dare say.
ROSE. Run, and tell my uncle and Lucy, that Mr. Spar—I mean that the Squire’s coming.
JOHN. I wouldn’t ha’ gone anyhow; but nobody need go now, for here they are. Now, I’m extinguished for the rest of the day.
Enter through the gate SQUIRE NORTON and MR. SPARKINS FLAM, dressed for sporting, with guns, etc., and two Gamekeepers. On the other side, old BENSON and LUCY. MARTIN, during the whole scene, thrusts himself in the SQUIRE’S way, to be taken notice of.
SQUIRE (to Gamekeeper, and putting down his gun). Take the birds into the house. Benson, we have had a good day’s sport, but a tiring one; and as the load is heavy for my fellows, you’ll let our game remain where it is. I could not offer it to a better friend.
BENSON. Your honour’s very good, but—
SQUIRE. Nay, you make a merit of receiving the smallest favour.
BENSON. Not a merit of receiving, nor a boast of refusing it; but a man in humble station should be cautious how he receives favours from those above him, which he never asks, and can never return. I have had too many such favours forced upon me by your honour, lately, and would rather not increase the number.
SQUIRE. But such a trifle—
BENSON. A trifle from an equal, but a condescension from a superior. Let your men carry your birds up to the Hall, sir, or, if they are tired, mine shall do it for them, and welcome. (Retires up.)
FLAM (aside). Swine and independence! Leather breeches and liberty!
SQUIRE. At least I may be permitted to leave a few brace, as a present to the ladies. Lucy, I hope, will not object. (Crosses to her.)
LUCY. I feel much flattered by your honour’s politeness—and—and—and—
ROSE. My cousin means to say, sir, that we’re very much obliged to your honour and Mr. Flam for your politeness, and that we are very willing to accept of anything, your honour.
FLAM (aside). Condescending little savage!
SQUIRE. You have spoken very well, both for yourself and your cousin. Flam, this is Rose—the pretty little Rose, you know.
FLAM. Know! can I ever forget the charming Rose—the beautiful—the—the—(aside) the Cabbage Rose!
SQUIRE (aside). Keep that girl engaged, while I talk to the other one.
ROSE. Oh, Mr. Flam!
FLAM. Oh, Miss Rose! (He salutes her.)
BENSON.