understand you,
Squire, to say milk?

{Kate.} Yes, milk, _(joins Dormer in archway)_

_(Eric saunters on from R., 1 e., sits on seat R., looks
at Kate's book for a moment.)_

{Gun.} _(downcast)_ Milk! Oh!

_(He goes off door L.)_

{Dormer.} _(up stage with Kate)_ Will you walk
towards Market-Sinfield, Mr. Thorndyke?

{Eric.}. _(on seat r.)_ Not yet, parson, thanks.

{Dormer.} _(turning away)_ Pah!

{Kate.} _(stopping him)_ You will come to the
Harvest Supper, Parson Dormer, won't you?

{Dormer.} _(looking at Eric)_ No.

{Kate.} And smoke your clay pipe like father
used to?

{Dormer.} _(looking at Kate)_ Perhaps, _(he goes
off through archway, to L.)_

_(Kate watches him through archway till he has
disappeared, then she comes softly to door L., listens
for a moment and sees that it is closed. She then
crosses to R., C., gives a glance at the house, and
runs to Eric's side. Eric puts his arms round
her, and kisses her fondly. Music ceases.)_

{Kate.} Dear old Eric! _(kneeling)_

{Eric.} My darling wife!

{Kate.} Hush! you noisy fellow. Whisper it,
there's a good boy, now. _(she bends her head, he
whispers)_

{Eric.} _(softly)_ Wife!

{Kate.} _(takes her wedding ring from her purse,
and gives it to him)_ Place my ring upon my finger,
Eric, for a moment. _(He slips the ring on her finger
and kisses her hand. Pressing the ring to her lips)_
I have so much in my heart to tell you. Oh, husband,
storm-clouds, storm-clouds!

{Eric.} Let them break, Kate. Love is a good
substantial umbrella.

{Kate.} A gingham, dear, a gingham. They are
talking in Market-Sinfield about me.

{Eric.} I envy them their topic.

{Kate.} I can't bear it, Eric. What shall I do?

{Eric.} The yokels mustn't see me here so frequently,
that's all.

{Kate.} _(rises)_ To stop their tongues and break
my heart. Eric, turn your back to me, I've something
to say to you. _(they sit back to back)_

{Eric.} Fire away, darling.

{Kate.} Eric, when we two were wed a year ago
our compact was that our marriage should never
become known during your mother's lifetime.

{Eric.} That's it, wifie.

{Kate.} Because your pride would never allow you
to share my means.