or Swindon's gallows.

RICHARD. It is you who are in danger. I warned you--

ANDERSON (interrupting him goodhumoredly but authoritatively). Yes,
yes, Mr. Dudgeon; but they do not think so in the town. And even if I
were in danger, I have duties here I must not forsake. But you are a
free man. Why should you run any risk?

RICHARD. Do you think I should be any great loss, Minister?

ANDERSON. I think that a man's life is worth saving, whoever it belongs
to. (Richard makes him an ironical bow. Anderson returns the bow
humorously.) Come: you'll have a cup of tea, to prevent you catching
cold?

RICHARD. I observe that Mrs. Anderson is not quite so pressing as you
are, Pastor.

JUDITH (almost stifled with resentment, which she has been expecting
her husband to share and express for her at every insult of Richard's).
You are welcome for my husband's sake. (She brings the teapot to the
fireplace and sets it on the hob.)

RICHARD. I know I am not welcome for my own, madam. (He rises.) But I
think I will not break bread here, Minister.

ANDERSON (cheerily). Give me a good reason for that.

RICHARD. Because there is something in you that I respect, and that
makes me desire to have you for my enemy.

ANDERSON. That's well said. On those terms, sir, I will accept your
enmity or any man's. Judith: Mr. Dudgeon will stay to tea. Sit down: it
will take a few minutes to draw by the fire. (Richard glances at him
with a troubled face; then sits down with his head bent, to hide a
convulsive swelling of his throat.) I was just saying to my wife, Mr.
Dudgeon, that enmity-- (she grasps his hand and looks imploringly at
him, doing both with an intensity that checks him at once) Well, well,
I mustn't tell you, I see; but it was nothing that need leave us worse
friend--enemies, I mean. Judith is a great enemy of yours.

RICHARD. If all my enemies were like Mrs. Anderson I should be the best
Christian in America.

ANDERSON (gratified, patting her hand). You hear that, Judith? Mr.
Dudgeon knows how to turn a compliment.

The latch is lifted from without.

JUDITH (starting). Who is that?

Christy comes in.

CHRISTY (stopping and staring at Richard). Oh, are YOU here?

RICHARD. Yes. Begone, you fool: Mrs. Anderson doesn't want the whole
family to tea at once.

CHRISTY (coming further in). Mother's very ill.

RICHARD. Well, does she want to see ME?

CHRISTY. No.

RICHARD. I thought not.

CHRISTY. She wants to see the min