The Squire Part 10

{Eric.} That's it, wifie.

{Kate.} Because your pride would never allow you to share my means.

{Eric.} Very true, Kate.

{Kate.} Now, Eric, doesn't it strike you that you were in the wrong?

{Eric.} No.

{Kate.} Because if a man will take from a woman something so precious as her love, surely he may share with her anything so paltry as her money.

_(Eric turns to embrace her)_

{Eric.} My darling.

{Kate.} _(looking round)_ Don't, Eric. I shall have to go indoors if you behave badly.

{Eric.} My dear Kate, there is another point of view which presents itself to the prudent husband.

{Kate.} What's that?

{Eric.} How much does Priors Mesne bring you in?

{Kate.} Oh, dear, I'm afraid to tell you!

{Eric.} Ah!

{Kate.} It's not my fault. I've done everything I could.

{Eric.} Well, then, Kate, my pay and my mother's allowance tot up to three hundred and fifty a year, and, my darling, I'm in debt.

{Kate.} _(turning and seizing him by the shoulder)_ Oh, Eric, how can you!

{Eric.} _(laughingly)_ Don't, dear, I shall have to go home if you behave badly.

{Kate.} Why, Eric, some of my farmhands flourish with families on eighteen shillings a week.

{Eric.} Yes, darling, there are animals who live on flesh and fruit, and there are animals who subsist on nuts. If I were a beast I could not look at a nut.

{Kate.} If you tried very hard, Eric, do you think you could write?

{Eric.} I've been taught, dear.

{Kate.} No, no, I mean in journals and magazines.

{Eric.} Never can write anything fluently but a cheque, and that's not always presentable. I'm an ornament, Kate, or nothing. I'm afraid I'm nothing --but your sweetheart, _(she bows her head in her hands)_ Why, Kate, this is one of your gloomy days.

{Kate.} _(rises and dries her eyes with her hand-kerchief)_ I suppose, Eric, there is not the faintest ray of hope that your mother would ever forgive you for your marriage.

{Eric.} Not the faintest. Poor mother, I'm the only living thing belonging to her upon earth. I once persuaded her to keep rabbits, with a view to diverting her affections--it didn't answer. _(Kate walks slowly to C. by stone. Eric follows her)_ You are not yourself, Kate; brighten up. Aren't you happy?

{Kate.} _(gives a quick look round)_ Is any man's love so strong for a woman that he would beggar himself for her sake?

{Eric.} Why, Kate!

{Kate.} What sacrifice will you make for me?

Tell me how many bright golden prospects you will blot out for the silly woman you have married.

Quick!

{Eric.} What is it you wish?

{Kate.} _(seizing his hand)_ Eric, publish our foolish marriage of a year ago--let it be known and laughed at in every house and every inn-yard in the country. Do this for me, and for heaven's sake, do it quickly!

{Eric.} _(holding her hand)_ A little silly gossip has upset you. It can't be, dear.

{Kate.} Then, as surely as we stand here--man and wife--you drive me from the place where I was born--where even every weed growing on my poor poverty-stricken land has a voice for me; where the

women and children love and pray for me; you, the man who has brought this ill upon my head, drive me out! _(turns up a little)_

{Eric.} What do you mean? Where are you going?

{Kate.} To hide, abroad, anywhere, in any hole and corner where no soul knows me. _(comes down to front of stone C.)_

{Eric.} _(going to her)_ Kate, you have some secret --tell me it.

{Kate.} _(with his hand in hers she turns from him, softly)_ Can't you guess? _(sinks on stone)_

{Eric.} _(quickly)_ Kate!

{Kate.} Dear, dear husband! _(there is a pause, then Eric raises her and kisses her)_

{Eric.} Kate, my dear, fetch me pen and ink, and some writing paper.

_(She crosses sadly to the steps then turns to him, half way up steps.)_

{Kate.} _(timidly)_ Husband!

{Eric.} _(thoughtfully)_ Wife! _(foot on first step)_

{Kate.} Are you angry?

{Eric.} _(taking her hands in his)_ Angry! _(runs up to her)_ Kate, _(drawing his breath)_ you are a wonder! _(kiss. She runs into the house.)_ _(Eric leans a moment with elbow on pillar, descends steps, rubs his ear, one foot resting on bottom step, then whistles "See the conquering hero comes" and crosses to L., table and takes up his mug of milk.)_

_(raising the mug)_ Baby's health!

_(He drinks. Kate comes out of the house, carrying a small desk; she places it on table R.; he crosses to her.)_

{Kate.} _(looking at the closed desk)_ There--I haven't brought the key.

{Eric.} _(searching his pockets)_ Try my keys--oh!

I forgot--I have had no keys for the last week or so.