The Squire Part 9

{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 ap.r.o.n 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, hus.h.!.+ 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, pus.h.i.+ng 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 peris.h.i.+ng 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. Thornd.y.k.e?

{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.} Hus.h.!.+ 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.