Joscelyn: We have no thoughts. I should think not indeed!

Martin: I beg your pardon. But since you find the hours so tedious,
will you not let me sing and play to you upon my lute? I will sing
you a song for a spring morning, and you shall dance in the grass
like any leaf in the wind.

Jane: I think there can be no harm in that.

Jessica: It can't matter a straw to Gillian.

Joyce: She would not look up from her thoughts though we footed it
all day.

Joscelyn: So long as he is on one side of the gate--

Jennifer: --and we on the other.

"I love to dance," said little Joan.

"Man!" cried the milkmaids in a breath, "play and sing to us!"

"Oh, maidens," answered Martin merrily, "every tune deserves its
fee. But don't look so troubled--my hire shall be of the lightest.
Let me see! You shall fetch me the flower from the hair of your
little mistress who sits weeping on the coping with her face hidden
in her shining locks."

At this the milkmaids clapped their hands, and little Joan, running
to the Well-House, with a touch like thistledown drew from the