this leg ourselves. [_Going_.

TRAVERS. Why don't you kill him, and put him out of misery?

JIM. [_Pause in door_.] Kill this little dog that took a fancy to me,
and followed the stage when I got in it!

TRAVERS. Yes--why not?

JIM. [_After appealing look to the others; then back to_ TRAVERS.]
Why, I never killed a man. [_Exit into shop_; JOE, MRS. VERNON,
LIZBETH, _follow laughing_.

BOLLINGER _exits_

TRAVERS. [_Going to table_.] What did he say?

KATE. That he never killed a man.

TRAVERS. Well, neither have I. Is that an unusual reputation in Pike
County?

KATE. It is for one who, like Mr. Radburn, carries seven bullets in
his own' body, fired there by men he was arresting.

TRAVERS. I've heard he was very fond of you.

KATE. [_Turning away_.] Don't talk of that.

TRAVERS. May I talk of _my_ love for you?

KATE. [_Turning_.] Yes.

TRAVERS. You are not happy here.

KATE. I feel it is unworthy in me to say that I am not.

TRAVERS. Yet, you are not--

KATE. The narrowness of the life oppresses me. I do not live in their
world of work and humble wishes--they made the mistake of sending
me away to school. I have seen a bigger world than theirs. [_Turns,
elbows on table; impulsively_.] I like you, Mr. Travers, because you
are a part of that bigger world.

TRAVERS. You like me, Kate! Only like? No more?

KATE. I don't know.

TRAVERS. Will you go with me--away from here, into that bigger world?

KATE. Not until I am sure it is you for whom I go, and not merely for
the liberty.

TRAVERS. How will you ever tell?

KATE. Some accident will teach me. It is a dreadful moment, isn't
it, when we learn that kinship, the truest kinship, is not a thing
of blood, but of ideas--my college mates, who thought as I did, were
nearer to me than my family, who never can think as I do.

_Enter_ MRS. VERNON.

MRS. VERNON. I never see such a hero as that little dog--he jis'
seemed to know they was helpin' him when they pulled them poor bones
together--jes' look how quiet he stands--whinnered a little, but
didn't holler 'tall. [TRAVERS _goes up to door_.

KATE. [_Aside_.] That is enough to make the man despise me! [_Goes
back to table_.

TRAVERS. [_Going up_.] Oh, yes--he knows he's among friends.

MRS. VERNON. [_Looking into shop_.] Now I say they's lots of folks of
education what ain't got as much sense as that dog.

TRAVERS _comes down._

KATE. Let us go walking. I can't breathe in here.

TRAVERS. Wit