[Sits on ground, left, and begins to shell corn.

LETTICE
(joining Anne in her work).
Do you remember the Spring in Leyden, Diantha?

DIANTHA
(looking upward as she stands).
Why, even here the Spring is very fair! Do not the sunlight, the blue
sky, and the budding trees make your heart sing with joy?

ANNE.
Sit, then, Diantha, and let us have a quiet hour.

DIANTHA
(standing behind them, half-gay, half-mocking).
A quiet hour--! Hither come Patience and Miriam and Ruth, the greatest
clatter-tongues in Plymouth. See! They have been gathering wild plum
blossoms!

[Enter Miriam, Patience, and Ruth from background. They hasten towards
Diantha. The exquisite white of the blossoms they carry makes them look
like heralds of the Spring.

MIRIAM
(excitedly).
Diantha, what dost think! Priscilla Mullins hath declared herself weary
of spinning in her own door-yard, and since Squanto hath told us that
we need not fear the Indians she hath besought Degory Martin and John
Billington to bring hither her spinning-wheel.