SCENE I.—LADY C. _reclining in arm-chair. Enter_ MARGERY _with vase

of flowers_.

LADY C. How beautiful, Margery! Did little Flora help you gather them?

MARGERY. Yes, my lady. Miss Flora—why, Miss Flora, she do frisk about so, pulls Elsie here, and then there,—“Now this flower, Elsie!” and “Now this nice one, Elsie!” That be a most wonderful child, my lady: she be playful like a kitten, and gentle, too, like a pet lamb.

LADY C. (_anxiously_). Ah! already I regret having given her permission to go with Elsie to the green. But she longed so to see the May-dances!

MARGERY. Oh, never fear, my lady! There isn’t anywhere a faithfuller little maid than Elsie: she will not let Miss Flora out of her sight. But nobody could wish Miss Flora out of sight, she is such a little angel. Indeed and in truth, my lady, in all the world can’t be found a child sweet-tempered like her.

LADY C. Oh, do not call her an angel, good Margery! call her a lamb or a kitten, if you will, or even a squirrel, but never an angel.

(_Children’s voices outside. Enter_ FLORA, _singing and skipping_. ELSIE _follows quietly_.)

FLORA. O mamma! see her wreaths and garlands, and the white dress she has on for the May-day dances! Doesn’t she look lovely, mamma?—oh, just as lovely as—oh, I don’t know!

LADY C. (_smiling_). Indeed she does, my dear. Elsie, do all the lassies wear white?

ELSIE. Yes, my lady, white, with right gay garlands.

FLORA. Good-by, mamma: it is time to go now. (_Goes to her mother._)

LADY C. O Elsie! will you take good care? She never went far from me before. I shall be very anxious!

ELSIE. Yes, indeed, my lady, I will take great care.

FLORA. And I will stay with Elsie, and be so good!—oh, just as good as—oh, you can’t think!

(_A company of singers heard outside, as if passing at a distance._)

FLORA (_skipping, and clapping hands_). Oh, hark, mamma! do hark to the May-songs! Come, Elsie, quick! Good-by, mamma!

LADY C. (_embracing her_). Good-by, darling! good-by!

[_Exit_ F. _and_ E.

MARGERY. I must see to their lunch-baskets.

[_Exit_ MARGERY. _Curtain falls._