_ Oh, oh!

_Olive._ 'Twas a cat or a dog, and your own fear raised the cold
wind. Think no more of it, Ann. Wait a moment while I go to the
north room. I have something to show you. [_Exit_ Olive _with a
candle._

_Phoebe._ What said the black thing to you, Ann?

_Ann._ I know not.

_Nancy._ Said it not: "Serve me; serve me?"

_Ann._ I know not. I was deaf with fear.

_Phoebe._ Oh, Ann, did it have horns?

_Ann._ I tell you I know not. You pester me, child.

_Phoebe._ Did it have hoofs and a tail?

_Ann._ Be quiet, I tell you, or I'll cuff your ears.

_Nancy._ She needn't be so topping. It will be laying in wait for
her when she goes home. I'll warrant it won't let her off so easy.

_Enter_ Olive, _bringing an embroidered muslin cape. She puts it
gently over_ Ann's _shoulders._

_Ann_ (_throwing it off violently_). Oh! oh! Take it away! take it
away!

_Olive._ Why, Ann, what ails you?

_Ann._ Take it away, I say! What mean you by your cursed arts?

_Olive._ Why, Ann! I have been saving a long time to buy it for
you. 'Tis like my last summer's cape that you fancied so much. I
sent by father to Boston for it.

_Ann._ I need it not.

_Olive._ I thought 'twould suit well with your green gown.

_Ann._ 'Twill suit well enough with a green gown, but not with a
sore heart.

_Nancy._ I miss my guess but it 'll suit well enough with her heart
too. I trow that's as green as her gown; green's the jealous color.

_Olive._ You be all unstrung by your walk hither through the wood,
Ann. I'll fold the cape up nicely for you, and you can take it when
you go home. And mind you wear it next Sabbath day, sweet. Now I
must to my wheel again, or I shall not finish my stint by nine
o'clock.

_Ann._ Your looks show that you were up later than nine o'clock
last night.

_Phoebe._ Oh, Ann, did you see the light in the fore room?

_Ann._ That did I. I stood at my chamber and saw it shine through
the wood.

_Nancy._ You couldn't see so far without spectacles.

_Ann._ It blinded me. I could get no sleep.

_Nancy._ You think your eyes are mighty sharp. Maybe your ears are
too? Maybe you heard 'em kissing at the door when he went home?

_Olive._ Nancy, be quiet!

_Nancy._ You needn't color up and shake your head at me, Olive.
They stood kissing there nigh an hour, and he with his arm round her
waist, and she with hers round his neck. They'd kiss, then they'd
eye each other and kiss again