ot.

{Eric.} I often wish my mother had made me a
parson.

{Dormer.} Why, sir?

{Eric.} Because, sir, a clergyman is the only man
in the world privileged to be rude on the subject of
another person's calling.

_(Kate approaches them.)_

{Dormer.} A clergyman, sir, is a professional
truth-teller.

{Eric.} I've known a common soldier to be a practical
one.

{Dormer.} I recognize no profession which creates
idlers.

{Eric.} My dear parson, it is the most industrious
people who never really do anything. After all, the
bees only make honey--and how exceedingly well
everybody could get on without honey.

{Dormer.} An idler, sir, often does mischief
against his will!

{Kate.} _(laying her hand on his sleeve)_ Mr. Dormer,
don't.

{Dormer.} And brings evil into a region where the
very purity of the air nourishes it! Mr. Thorndyke,
beware of idling! Miss Verity, beware of idlers.
Good-day, sir. _(crosses to table L., for hat, and then
goes up to archway. Kate gets to R., of him)_

{Eric.} _(closing his eyes with fatigue)_ Must you
really go? _(takes out "Sporting Times")_

{Kate.} _(soothingly)_ You'll come again, Mr.
Dormer--some day, when Mr. Thorndyke isn't here.

{Dormer.} _(in an undertone)_ If I come again, see
that it be then.

{Kate.} What do you mean?

{Dormer.} _(putting his hand on her shoulder)_
Years ago, Kate Verity, I closed one book for ever--
it was called "Woman." As I see the tide ebb and
flow, without passion, so I watch a woman in her
rise and in her fall with a still heart--they are both
beyond me. Mark me, I care no more for you, as a
woman, than for the beggars in our High Street;
but, for the sake of the charities which stand to the
account of one Squire Kate, I throw into the current
a small pebble.

{Kate.} _(in an undertone)_ What is that? _(keeps
her eyes on Eric)_

{Dormer.} _(pointing in the direction of Eric)_
Repair those old gates, and keep that young gentleman
on the other side of them.

{Kate.} Suppose--I--like the young gentleman?

{Dormer.} If he marries in his mother's lifetime
he is a pauper.

{Kate.} I know that.

{Dormer.} What business has he here?

{Kate.} It kills time.

{Do