an manage a house, Sarah, and well, too. Can't you?

SARAH. I ran the house for Andy there twenty years and more, and I
never once had to ask him for a pound. And what's more, I put some
into the bank every quarter.

JOHN. Did you now? (_He looks at her in wondering admiration._)

SARAH. Yes. And I cleared five pounds on butter last half year.

JOHN (_with growing wonder_). Did you?

SARAH. And made a profit of ten pounds on eggs alone this year
already.

JOHN (_unable to contain himself any longer_). Sarah, will you marry
me?

SARAH (_coyly_). Oh, John, this is very sudden. (_Knocking at yard
door._) I will. I will. Will you tell them when they come in?

JOHN (_now that the ordeal has been passed, feeling somewhat
uncomfortable_). Well, I would rather you waited a few days, and then
we could let them know, canny, don't you know, Sarah. Break the news
soft, so to speak. Eh?

SARAH (_disappointedly_). Well, if you want it particular that way
I--(_knocking_).

JOHN (_going to door_). Aye, I'd rather you did. (_He goes to the door
and opens it and_ MARY _comes in._)

MARY. I peeped through the window and I thought, perhaps, it would be
better to knock first. It's a nice evening Miss McMinn. (_She takes
off her hat and flings it carelessly on a chair._) Where's Uncle Dan?
I want to see him.

JOHN. He'll be in soon enough. He's out showing Andy and Mackenzie the
thresher.

MARY (_laughing_). Uncle Dan! What does he know about----(_she stops
short, remembering that_ SARAH _is present._) Mr. Mackenzie?

SARAH. Yes. He's a gentleman, a friend of ours, engaged in the
engineering business, who has a large place of his own in Scotland,
and we brought him over here to see your Uncle Dan about the invention
he's working at.

JOHN. You stop here, Mary, with Sarah, and get the tea ready. You
should have been in the house when company was coming. Where were you?

MARY. Oh, just down the loaning.

JOHN. Who with?

MARY. Alick McCready.

JOHN (_sternly_). Aye. You're gay fond of tralloping about with the
boys.

SARAH. He's not just the sort of young man I would like to see in your
company, Mary.

MARY (_impertinently_). It's none of your business whose company I was
in.

JOHN (_disapprovingly_). Now, Mary, remember your manners in front of
your elders, and mind you must always show Miss McMinn particular
respect. (_Impressively_). Particular respect. (_Going towards yard
door._) And you can show Sarah what