And while the girls joined in this gay spinning song, the men buzzed an accompaniment of "Brr, brr, brr," and the fun waxed fast and furious, the men spinning faster and faster every moment, the girls becoming more and more excited with watching and trying to learn--because they now saw that there was nothing for them but to begin business; and more than this, they began almost to like the farmer chaps. After a moment, first one began to laugh, then another, till suddenly they all dragged off into a merry "ha, ha, ha!"
Look! How the busy task he's plying, Hercules is at the wheel; Look, I too can set it flying, Scold me if I do it ill
Nancy--or rather Julia--sang, as she took a turn at it. All had turned to fun and frolic, and now even Lady Harriet--or Martha--could not withstand the temptation to try her hand; so down she sat, and away she went spinning, and singing with the best of them. Suddenly Nancy upset her wheel, Plunkett gaily threatened her, and away she ran, with Plunkett chasing after her. In a minute they had disappeared, and Martha was left alone with Lionel.
"Nancy--Julia--where are you? here! don't leave me--" Martha cried.
"Have no fear, gentle girl," Lionel said, detaining her. "There is no one who will hurt you." Martha regarded him with some anxiety for a moment, then became reassured.
"No--I will not be afraid," she thought. "This stranger has a kind way with him. True, they are strange in their ways--to me--but then I am strange in my ways--to them."
"Come! I'll promise never to be impatient with you nor to scold you if you do not get things right. I am sure you will do your best," he gently insisted, trying to put her at her ease. "To tell the truth--I am desperately in love with you, Martha."
"Oh, good gracious--it is--so sudden----" she gasped, looking about for some chance of escape. "Don't, sir! I assure you I am the worst sort of servant. I have deceived you: as a matter of fact, I know almost nothing of housework or farm work--I----"
"Well, at least, you know how to laugh and while the time away. Never mind about the work--we shall get on; we'll let the work go. Only sing for me--come, let us be gay."
"Then sing something that is not gay. Sing what you will--but sing," he urged. He was more in love with her every moment, and not knowing what else to do Martha sang--"'Tis the Last Rose of Summer!"