ught the key.

{Eric.} _(searching his pockets)_ Try my keys--oh!
I forgot--I have had no keys for the last week or so.
_(crosses to seat R., pulls table forward)_

{Kate.} _(opening the desk)_ It isn't locked--how
silly of me. _(they sit side by side with the desk open
before them)_ What are you going to do, dear? _(R.
of Eric.)_

{Eric.} Listen to this, _(writing)_ "Mother, I have
sown my wild oats in Squire Verity's farm, and have
reaped a rich crop of womanly love and duty."

{Kate.} Dear old boy! _(touches his R., hand)_

{Eric.} You've made me make a blot, _(writing)_
"I suppose you will shut your heart upon me. So
be it. But if Heaven ever gives us a little daughter,
I promise you she shall bear the name of my dear
old mother. Your dutiful, Eric." _(folds and
addresses the letter)_

{Kate.} What are you going to do with it?

{Eric.} Leave it at The Packmores on my way
back to Pagley; give it boldly to Stibbs the butler,
and run off as fast as my legs can carry me.
_(Chris, comes out of the house on to balcony; hearing
voices below, she bends over slyly and catches
sight of Eric and Kate, who are gazing dubiously
at the letter.)_

{Kate.} What a red-letter day for both of us, Eric.

{Eric.} _(pocketing letter)_ What a red letter day
for mother, when she has read this letter!

{Chris.} _(aside, between her teeth)_ And that's the
woman they make a saint of in Market-Sinfield.
And she dares to turn her back on me--for Felicity.

{Kate.} _(to Eric)_ Must you go?

{Eric.} _(taking out watch)_ Look.

_(Gilbert enters through the archway from L., and
takes up his gun.)_

{Kate.} _(to Eric)_ Don't let the idlers at the
White Lion see you on the highroad.

{Gil.} _(hearing voices, turns--aside, watching
Eric)_ The man who has robbed me of my hope--
my ambition! If I stay another day at the Priors
I shall go mad!

_(Gunnion and Izod, with very uncertain steps,
and supporting each other shoulder to shoulder,
stagger out of the outhouse up to the archway.)_

{Chris.} _(aside)_ Felicity! Not the name for this
house! _(she takes the bunch of keys from her pocket
and looks at them exultingly)_ Ah! I shall have to
jingle you yet.

_(Eric. rises to part. Chris.