espects,
and he has always heretofore cut up the ducks at
the harvest feast.

{Kate.} Well?

{Rob.} Father's mortally fond of duck, but he
always cut 'em up fairly and friendly.

{Kate.} Yes?

{Rob.} My best respects to you, Squire, and as I
come, in place of father, I hope you'll make no
difference. Good day to ye, Squire.

_(He goes off through archway. Kate rises, goes
up C., and down L., C.)_

{Kate.} Thank you, Gilbert, for thinking so much
of to-morrow.

{Gil.} _(looking at her earnestly)_ Don't name it,
Squire.

{Kate.} _(awkwardly)_ The summer's over--the
winds are getting quite cold--good afternoon, Gilbert.

_(Kate takes shawl off stone and goes towards steps,
where Gilbert intercepts her.)_

{Gil.} Squire!

{Kate.} Yes?

{Gil.} Will you listen to me?

{Kate.} _(L. C.)_ Business?

{Gil.} _(R. of her)_ The business of my life.

{Kate.} Oh, Gilbert! Again? _(sits)_

{Gil.} _(puts gun down R., of archway)_ Squire--
Squire Kate, I--I can't take "no" for an answer.

{Kate.} Are you a strong man or a weak one?

{Gil.} Strong enough to keep from drink and
gambling, when you make me mad; weak enough to
crawl about this place for the sake of a look from
you. Strong enough to love you with all my soul;
weak enough not to hate you for wrecking my life.

{Kate.} Don't talk fiddle-de-dee nonsense about
your life being wrecked. Gilbert, we were children
together, we were lad and lass together, and perhaps,
if we both live, we may be old people together--but
we mustn't be man and woman together; it doesn't
answer. Now, tell me, what are you supposed to be
on my land?

{Gil.} Folks call me the bailiff, but I'm more of a
handyman. I work for Squire Kate, my dear
master--and I love Squire Kate, my dear mistress.

{Kate.} Then take a word of advice--cut yourself
adrift from Squire Kate's apron strings. _(Gilbert
turns away)_ When my father, John Verity, died,
and left his girl alone in the world, you helped me
out of debt and difficulty; but all the skill on earth
can never squeeze more than bread and butter out
of this dear broken-down old place. _(she rises)_ So
go away where there's a world for you, a world to
work in and a world to li