e, wretched and in
trouble. I'm not the first Verity that has come to
grief, but I shall be the first at whose name there's
a hush and a whisper. And this will be to your
credit--to the credit of one who has fed and slept
under my roof, and who has touched my lips with
hers. _(She comes to Chris, and lays her hand upon
her shoulder)_ Christie, if you ever marry and have
children that cry to be lulled to sleep, don't sing
this story to them lest they should raise their little
hands against their mother. Remember that. _(sits
again)_

_(Eric Thorndyke enters quickly, door L., and stands
facing Kate. Christiana and Izod look at each
other significantly; there is a pause--Christie
backs a little so that Eric passes in front of her,
Izod passes behind and gets on steps.)_

{Chris.} _(with a curtsey to Eric)_ Your servant,
Lieutenant. You haven't forgotten the Harvest
Feast, sir.

_(He makes no answer. Chris, and Izod cross quietly
to door L.)_

_(In Izod's ear)_ Come to the parson--now.

_(They go out, Kate and Eric are alone--they look
at each other.)_

{Eric.} _(C.)_ Thank you for seeing me.

{Kate.} You ought to hate me for it. _(on sofa)_

{Eric.} I should have delayed this till you were
stronger, but I was in dread that you would go
without a word.

{Kate.} I leave Market-Sinfield to-morrow. I
should not have said good-bye to you. You look tired
and worn out.

_(Eric advances to sit beside her, she checks him and
points to stool C.)_

Sit down--there. _(he sits wearily)_ Has your
mother written?

{Eric.} _(with a short bitter laugh produces a letter
from his pocket-book)_ _(C.)_ Oh, yes; here is my
conge. The gates of The Packmores are shut and
locked. Stibbs, the butler, has orders to clear out
everything that spells the name of Eric. Poor
mother!

{Kate.} Ah, that needn't be now; you must tell her
we have quarrelled, that I have jilted you, or you me
--anything for a home.

{Eric.} _(rises)_ Home, Kate! Home! That's all
over. _(comes down C.)_

{Kate.} Hush! hush!

{Eric.} I've been with Sylvester, our lawyer, this
morning; he is going to raise money on the reversion
of my aunt Tylcote's little place, which must come
to me. It is th