hen
he--when he is himself again. [_At this_ KEN _picks up his hat and
walks out without a word. The two look unhappily after him_.
BISHOP, _shaken._] That boy--that sane youth ... What's happened
to him?

LAURA. [_With difficulty._] He wants to break our engagement.

BISHOP. Ah! That's the trouble then. You two have quarrelled.

LAURA. He doesn't need me. I don't mean anything to him....

BISHOP. But of course you do.--There, Laura, there!

LAURA. No. He doesn't. I feel it.

BISHOP. Why, for years you've meant everything to him. He planned
to marry you as soon as he graduated. ...

LAURA. Oh, he's so muddled--he's so muddled!

BISHOP. I know how you feel, my dear, but lovers' quarrels ...

LAURA. It's not a lovers' quarrel. Oh, don't you understand? His
morale's all shot.

BISHOP. Kenneth is essentially sound. Now don't worry, my dear.
[_Indulgently._] I'll wait and have another talk with him, eh?
Perhaps that's what he needs; a good, sound, heart-to-heart talk
with his father.

LAURA. He needs a job! He needs a job! It's more important than I
am--more important than you--more important than anything in the
world.

[TED _opens the door; starts to come out; hears the tense
conversation and stands, hesitant._]

BISHOP. You are right. Work is essential,--more essential than
love. That's what all these young people need. Something to do with
their hands, with their heads. To feel that the world needs
them--that they have a right to live.

LAURA. That they belong!

BISHOP. Yes, yes ...

LAURA. You've got to find him a job. You've got to!

BISHOP. Dear child--if only I could!

LAURA. You've got to!--even if you have to buy one.

BISHOP. Buy one?

LAURA. [_Moving closer to him._] He need never know....

[TED _draws back and softly closes the door._]

SLOW CURTAIN

ACT I

SCENE 2*: PRESCOTT'S _office has an air of magnificence. Seems high
above the street. In an anteroom can be seen the_ BISHOP,
_waiting_, LUCILLE, PRESCOTT'S _secretary, a smartly-dressed young
woman, is in the office, reading a newspaper. After a moment_,
BISHOP HOLDEN _comes to the door_.]

* This scene can be omitted.

BISHOP. I beg your pardon, [LUCILLE _looks up._] Are you sure Mr.
Prescott will be back?

LUCILLE. Yes sir.

BISHOP. You think I ought to wait?

LUCILLE. Saturday's a bad day. Why don't you come back on Monday?

BISHOP. I must see him today. If I can't see him here I shall try
to see him at his