least, if
it wasn't 'Aigel it was one o' the others. I'll move on to the study
now. Ah! He's got some winders there lookin' right over the country.
And a wonderful lot o' books, if you feel inclined for a read one of
these days.

COOK'S Voice. Faith!

FAITH sets down the salt cellar in her hand, puts her tongue out a
very little, and goes out into the hall. MR BLY is gathering up his
pail and cloths when MR MARCH enters at the window.

MR MARCH. So it's fixed up, Mr Bly.

BLY. [Raising himself] I'd like to shake your 'and, sir. [They shake
hands] It's a great weight off my mind.

MR MARCH. It's rather a weight on my wife's, I'm afraid. But we must
hope for the best. The country wants rain, but--I doubt if we shall get
it with this Government.

BLY. Ah! We want the good old times-when you could depend on the
seasons. The further you look back the more dependable the times get;
'ave you noticed that, sir?

MR MARCH. [Suddenly] Suppose they'd hanged your daughter, Mr Bly. What
would you have done?

BLY. Well, to be quite frank, I should 'ave got drunk on it.

MR MARCH. Public opinion's always in advance of the Law. I think your
daughter's a most pathetic little figure.

BLY. Her looks are against her. I never found a man that didn't.

MR MARCH. [A little disconcerted] Well, we'll try and give her a good
show here.

BLY. [Taking up his pail] I'm greatly obliged; she'll appreciate
anything you can do for her. [He moves to the door and pauses there to
say] Fact is--her winders wants cleanin', she 'ad a dusty time in there.

MR MARCH. I'm sure she had.

MR BLY passes out, and MR MARCH busies himself in gathering up his
writing things preparatory to seeking his study. While he is so
engaged FAITH comes in. Glancing at him, she resumes her placing of
the decanters, as JOHNNY enters by the window, and comes down to his
father by the hearth.

JOHNNY. [Privately] If you haven't begun your morning, Dad, you might
just tell me what you think of these verses.

He puts a sheet of notepaper before his father, who takes it and
begins to con over the verses thereon, while JOHNNY looks carefully
at his nails.

MR MARCH. Er--I--I like the last line awfully, Johnny.

JOHNNY. [Gloomily] What about the other eleven?

MR MARCH. [Tentatively] Well--old man, I--er--think perhaps it'd be
stronger if they were out.

JOHNNY. Good