The Squire Part 13

_(Kate replaces the note with a shrug of the shoulders.

Christie rises--to Fel.)_ Good-bye, little woman.

{Fel.} _(rises with a curtesy)_ Good-bye to ye, Mr.

Hythe. _(sits again)_

_(Gil. is going.)_

{Kate.} _(holds out her hand)_ Good-night, Gilbert.

_(Gil. looks at Chris., who is busy knitting, then speaks aside to Kate.)_

{Gil.} _(in an undertone)_ You haven't read my note yet, Squire. _(Kate elevates her eyebrows in surprise--Gil. crosses to L., to Chris.)_ Good-bye, Chris., my girl.

{Chris.} Turn up your collar, Gilbert, it's bitter cold, _(turns it up for him)_

{Gil.} You're right, there's a wet mist; we're going to have a bad night, take my word for it. Good-night to you.

_(He goes out L., Kate rises and goes to window R.)_

{Kate.} _(looking out)_ Good-night. It is as black as ink. _(s.h.i.+vering)_ Christie, make up a fire here. I shall read for a little while before I go to bed. _(puts money and key basket in bureau drawer, and sits on stool by bureau)_

{Chris.} _(looking at Fel., who is reading the little books)_ My hands are as white as hers, but I suppose she is to be the lady's maid.

{Kate.} Oh, Christie, Christie, after all these years! Surely you are my friend still, _(takes book from table)_

{Chris.} I know I'm your servant; whether or not I'm your friend, Squire, is another matter; but I'm not her friend, and I own it.

{Kate.} You're very foolish, and very jealous.

{Chris.} That's it, I'm jealous; I hope there'll never be a worse name for it.

_(She goes out, door L., Kate sits on sofa L.)_

{Kate.} _(to Fel.)_ You can run off to bed, little maid.

{Fel.} Thank'ee, Squire, _(puts books down)_

{Kate.} I shan't want you any more to-night.

_(Fel. curtseys--crosses to door L., carrying the soldier's portrait.)_

Don't forget to say your prayers.

{Fel.} _(coming down)_ Squire, _(looks round nervously, twitching ap.r.o.n. Kate looks up from her book)_

{Kate.} _(raising her head--fretfully)_ What is it?

{Fel.} I suppose there's no harm in a girl praying for her sweetheart?

{Kate.} No--if he's a good fellow and worthy of her.

{Fel.} If he's a bad 'un, praying's likely to be of more good to him. _(she comes nearer Kate and speaks in an undertone)_ Because, Squire--don't be vexed at me--because, if you like, when I'm praying for Tom I might make a small mention of--er--the other gentleman, _(close to Kate)_

{Kate.} What other gentleman?

{Fel.} _(bending forward and whispering)_ The young lieutenant, Squire. _(Kate rises angrily)_

{Kate.} How dare you! I am very angry with you! There's not the slightest--Oh, Felicity, how came you to think of such a thing? _(she draws Fel.

to her. Fel. claps her hands and laughs)_

{Fel.} He's such a nice young man, Squire--you couldn't help it.

{Kate.} Be quiet, child. We don't always fall in love with nice young men.

{Fel.} We do generally, Squire. May I just mention him along with Tom? Parson won't know.

{Kate.} Well, Felicity, there's no harm in praying for a man, even if one is not over-fond of him.

{Fel.} No, Squire.

{Kate.} So, if you like, just a little for the young lieutenant--

{Fel.} Yes, Squire?

{Kate.} And--

{Fel.} And who, Squire?

{Kate.} And the woman he loves. Good-night, dear, _(pats her cheeks--Fel. goes up L.)_

_(Chris, enters door L., followed by Izod carrying wood fuel. Chris, takes the wood from Izod, and crosses to fireplace R.)_

Why, Christie, what is he doing here?

{Chris.} _(R. on her knees before fire)_ He's been sleeping off the effects of that wicked old man's temptation, poor dear, _(takes up bellows)_

{Izod.} _(C.)_ I'm better now, Squire, thank you.

I've been precious queer all the afternoon.

{Kate.} _(L. C.)_ Have you, indeed! Well, now you've carried up the wood, you can be off home.

_(Fel. has gone up to door L.)_

{Fel.} _(up L., turning)_ Good-night, Miss Christiana.

{Chris.} _(sulkily--lighting fire)_ Good-night.

_(blowing fire)_

_(Izod, unnoticed by Kate, gives Fel. a low mock bow.)_