- [Dorcas and Minnie are watching Gabriel Cochrane working in the forge]
- Minnie: Ma'am, he is a "man" man, isn't he?
- Dorcas Lane: If, by that, you mean Mr Cochrane is manly, then yes, he has a certain presence about him.
- Minnie: Men are better when they're men, aren't they, Ma'am?
- Dorcas Lane: There is an advantage, to a woman's eye, when a man has a certain... potency about him, yes.
- Minnie: Do you like men who are men, Ma'am?
- Dorcas Lane: I *am* a woman.
- Minnie: Do you like Mr Cochrane, Ma'am?
- Dorcas Lane: Minnie, I think this conversation has gone far enough. Sometimes you forget the bounds of your station.
- Minnie: But don't you think he'll want a new wife, Ma'am?
- Dorcas Lane: Minnie, that is enough. Mr Cochrane is still grieving his loss. You must not think such thoughts, and you must certainly never mention such insensitivities. Keep to your place, girl.
- Minnie: [contritely] Yes, Ma'am.