Gunnion!

     (Gun. and Dor. speak up stage C, in archway.)
     Kate. (Eric rises and stands R., C., To Fel.,
     pointing to door L.) Go to that door, child, and call
     "Christie." (Fel. crosses to L., door. Kate goes to
     Eric R. C.—to Eric) Do you know this Morris?

     Eric. Yes.

     Kate. What kind of man is he?

     Fel. (at door L.) Christie!

     Eric. The biggest scoundrel in the regiment.
     (Christiana appears at door L.)
     Chris. (to Fel.) Who are you?

     Fel. I'm Gunnion's daughter.

     Chris. (frowning) Who told you to call "Christie"?

     Eric. (to Kate) Poor little woman—do her a
     good turn, (strolls off R., 1, E.)
     (Kate sits on stone R., C.)
     Kate. Felicity! (Fel. comes to her—Kate passes
     across in front of her to R., Felicity kneels, Chris.
     watches them with a dark look from door L., Gun.
     and Dor. look on from up stage) Would you like to
     be my little maid, and brush my hair, and lace my
     dresses for me?

     (Fel. kneels beside Kate on her R.) And sing to
     me when I'm lonely?

     Fel. Oh, Squire! And I can darn, and mend,
     and mark, and I can read, and, Squire—

     Kate. Well?

     Fel. Will you let me tell you all about Tom
     Morris?

     Kate. Perhaps. Christie! (gives her a key from
     chatelaine. Chris, L., C.) Felicity Gunnion is coming
     to live with us, and to be my little maid. Take
     her up stairs, and give her the small room above
     mine.

     (Felicity rises and goes R., C.)
     Chris. I beg your pardon, Squire, but I have
     been good enough to wait on you since you were that
     high. What's wrong with me now?

     Kate. Wrong, Christie? Only that you're an
     industrious, hard-working girl, and deserve a help-mate.

     Chris. (tugging at her apron impetuously) I
     don't want a helpmate. I want all you, Squire. We
     were children together, you and me, mistress and
     maid. Don't halve your heart now, Squire. I can't
     bear it.

     Kate. (rises) My heart's large enough, Christie,
     for all folks.

     Chris. (biting her lips) I can't help what I'm
     saying. I won't bear it.

     Kate. Hush, hush! Take the child upstairs and
     don't be silly, (goes up to Gun. and Dor.)
     Chris. (crosses to Fel. C.—in an undertone to
     Fel.) You're the girl that they say is in love with
     a soldier, aren't you?

     Fel. Yes, miss.

     Chris. A soldier! That's why the Squire has
     gushed over you, isn't it?

     Fel. No, miss.

     Chris. (contemptuously) "No, miss!" (shaking
     her finger at Fel.) Now listen to one word from me.
     You get wed to your common soldier as soon as you
     can hook him, do you hear?

     Fel. Why?

     Chris. Because as long as you're in this house,
     there's mischief and bad blood in it, upon my soul
     there is! Come along and see your bedroom.
     (She seizes Fel. by the arm, and takes her up the
     steps into the house, pushing her in front of her
     —Gun. and Kate come down.)
     Gun. (L. C.) Well, I'm mightily obliged to you,
     Squire. I'll bring the brat's box down to-night, that
     I will.

     Kate. (R. C.) Do, Gunnion. Are you thirsty?

     Gun. Thirsty! I'm perishing for a drop o'
     drink.

     Kate. Get it for yourself. (Gun. crosses to L.
     door) And, Gunnion, (Gun. turns) Milk!

     Gun. Milk?

     Kate. No ale till to-morrow night.

     Gun. I'm the father of thirteen, I am. I ain't
     got a tooth to my yead. Did I 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.

     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