{Eric.} Very true, Kate.

{Kate.} Now, Eric, doesn't it strike you that you
were in the wrong?

{Eric.} No.

{Kate.} Because if a man will take from a woman
something so precious as her love, surely he may
share with her anything so paltry as her money.
_(Eric turns to embrace her)_

{Eric.} My darling.

{Kate.} _(looking round)_ Don't, Eric. I shall have
to go indoors if you behave badly.

{Eric.} My dear Kate, there is another point of
view which presents itself to the prudent husband.

{Kate.} What's that?

{Eric.} How much does Priors Mesne bring you in?

{Kate.} Oh, dear, I'm afraid to tell you!

{Eric.} Ah!

{Kate.} It's not my fault. I've done everything
I could.

{Eric.} Well, then, Kate, my pay and my mother's
allowance tot up to three hundred and fifty a year,
and, my darling, I'm in debt.

{Kate.} _(turning and seizing him by the shoulder)_
Oh, Eric, how can you!

{Eric.} _(laughingly)_ Don't, dear, I shall have to
go home if you behave badly.

{Kate.} Why, Eric, some of my farmhands flourish
with families on eighteen shillings a week.

{Eric.} Yes, darling, there are animals who live on
flesh and fruit, and there are animals who subsist
on nuts. If I were a beast I could not look at a nut.

{Kate.} If you tried very hard, Eric, do you think
you could write?

{Eric.} I've been taught, dear.

{Kate.} No, no, I mean in journals and magazines.

{Eric.} Never can write anything fluently but a
cheque, and that's not always presentable. I'm an
ornament, Kate, or nothing. I'm afraid I'm nothing
--but your sweetheart, _(she bows her head in
her hands)_ Why, Kate, this is one of your gloomy
days.

{Kate.} _(rises and dries her eyes with her
hand-kerchief)_ I suppose, Eric, there is not the faintest
ray of hope that your mother would ever forgive you
for your marriage.

{Eric.} Not the faintest. Poor mother, I'm the
only living thing belonging to her upon earth. I
once persuaded her to keep rabbits, with a view to
diverting her affections--it didn't answer. _(Kate
walks slowly to C. by stone. Eric follows her)_ You
are not yourself, Kate; brighten up. Aren't you
happy?

{Kate.} _(gives a quick look round)_ Is any man's