sake. (Hand at head, bewildered) Today we may have one saint. . . one John more . . . There!
(From the distance comes music of the band playing a Turner’s March.)
Julia.—The young folks are back.
(Granny spreads the table.)
Fable.—That means they will be here at once. The procession is turning the corner around the armory, and the breeze is carrying the music this way.
Ann.—Granny, please, leave everything for a while and get me my shawl. Hurry! (Granny goes.)
Julia.—What are you up to now?
Ann.—I must go to meet my husband. . . if he is coming.
Fable.—Certainly he is coming. And you won’t have to wait long. If you permit a suggestion from an old friend of the family . . . what will people say if they see you tonight, just as the young man of ten years ago, who turned the village topsy turvy, and you with it . . . what would they say if they saw you running like a wild woman to meet your husband on his way home from the picnic.
Ann.—What shall I do?
(The music grows louder. In the lodge Andrew is seen taking the old man to the window.)
Julia.—It would be better if the doctor were here. Truly, I should prefer to see him here before the other arrives.
Fable.—Well, well, they shall have to meet sooner or later—the present incumbent, and the one to whom the business lawfully belongs—who may still wish to urge his claims.
Ann (To Granny who brings mantle).—Give it here, quick!
(Music sounds farther off.)
Fable.—What does this mean? (All are surprised.) Just look at that! The procession is turning to the market place, and will not pass by here. That looks like a demonstration against our mayor.
Ann.—I must meet him from this direction then!
Fable (Looking off, back).—That is superfluous, for here he comes. (John enters, leading Johnny by the hand.)
John.—Come along, and behave yourself like a man. I’ll get cross!
Johnny.—When everybody is going to the armory, and they are going to play a lot more! All the other boys can go, but I have to come home!
