The Squire Part 12

{Gun.} _(rises--gets nearer table)_ Well, Squire, it's not a thing I've done afore, and it's not a thing I'm like to do again.

{Kate.} Come, come, that's all right.

{Gun.} And I've paid the penalty precious dear.

I've had my yead under the pump from four o'clock till past sunset, and wettin' my yead is a thing I dursn't do.

{Kate.} Oh, dear!

{Gun.} As for the drop o' drink, I was druv to it by grief.

{Kate.} By grief?

{Gun.} I'm an old man, I am, I ain't got a tooth to my yead. I've had thirteen children, and now the last of 'em's gone. It ain't for an old man to see the only set of teeth in his house walk out of the front door without takin' on a bit.

_(Felicity sings again off R.)_

Why, confound the brat, she's squalling in the Squire's place now. Don't 'ee stand it, Squire!

_(Felicity comes from door R., carrying a book and a little silken shawl. She gives book to Kate, and gently places the shawl on Kate's chair.)_

Drat you, what do you mean by vocalizing free and easy like this? You ain't been called on for it. Do you want to make your father look small?

{Fel.} _(R.)_ I beg Squire's pardon. If I didn't sing I should cry. That's the worst of being too happy--it makes people chokey. _(Kate pats her cheek--seeing her box)_ Oh, father's brought my bits o' things, _(crosses in front--she runs over to box, throws open the lid and hurriedly empties it of the few mean articles of clothing it contains. From the bottom of the box she takes out a small gaudily framed picture)_ Oh, I am so glad! There's my linsey, and my goloshes--my workbox!

{Gun.} What do you mean by bits o' things?

Leave your wardrobe alone.

_(Gun. hastily replaces the clothing. Fel. runs over to Kate and gives her the portrait.)_

{Fel.} Look, Squire--Tom Morris--ain't he handsome?

{Gun.} _(replacing clothes)_ Darn these things!

_(mumbling)_ What d'ye mean by tossing your things on the floor in that way? _(lifting box)_ Good-night to you, Squire.

_(Christie goes up to chair by L., D.)_

I'll leave this in the gell's room and be off.

{Kate.} Good-night, Gunnion.

{Fel.} _(goes to Gun.)_ Good-night, father. Go straight home.

{Gun.} Drat 'ee, what d'ye mean by that!

_(Fel. goes round back of Kate's chair to stool R., and sits looking at photo.)_

Good-night to ye, Gilbert Hythe, and thank 'ee for your help. Good-night, Christie, _(shouldering box)_ Darn this wardrobe! _(turning to look at Fel.)_ Ah!

your twelve brothers and sisters never had a start in the world like o' this!

_(He goes off--Chris, closes the door after him, then sits on chair up L., knitting. Gil. comes to table, puts hat down.)_

{Gil.} The time's come for us to part company.

I've brought my books and odds and ends, Squire, as I promised.

{Kate.} But you must make one at the Harvest Feast, Gilbert. Who is to play with the children, and to set the old folks laughing, if you are missing?

{Gil.} Folks will have to laugh at me, Squire, if they are to get a laugh out of me, to-morrow, _(he takes a few rusty keys and some small dog-eared books from his pocket, and places them on table before Kate)_ Here are the keys--the Red Barn, the barn below Fenning's field, the store house. The key of the oats house--_(Kate puts key and money in key basket)_--Gunnion's got. _(puts books on table)_ There's my account--it's poor book-keeping, Squire, but plain. Will you cast your eye over it?

{Kate.} _(shaking her head)_ No!

{Gil.} Thank you, Squire, _(places a little bag of money before her)_ John Buckle's rent, and Mrs.

Tester's arrears--less some job wages paid by me since Sat.u.r.day. And that's all.

{Kate.} Thank you Gilbert.

{Gil.} And now, Squire, I can't say good-bye to you in two words. Will you hear what I've to say?

{Kate.} Certainly, Gilbert, _(gives book to Felicity)_

_(Gil. looks at Fel. and at Chris, and learn over the back of Kate's chair.)_

{Gil.} _(in an undertone to Kate)_ Can't it be between us two, Squire?

{Kate.} No!

{Gil.} _(aside in Kate's ear)_ Kate, I'm almost a desperate man. Take care how you treat me to-night.

{Kate.} _(without moving, aside to Gil.)_ How dare you speak to me like that?

{Gil.} _(aside to Kate)_ Reason before you let your good friends slip from you. I'll give you a chance to consider what you are doing, _(turns up to bureau --aloud)_ Squire, I want to scribble a few words to you. _(pointing to bureau)_ May I write here?

{Kate.} If you please.

_(Gil. sits at bureau and writes quickly.)_

_(fretfully)_ What are all these, Felicity?

{Fel.} _(opening book and reading)_ "Gilbert Hythe's cures for cows." Shall I read 'em, Squire?

{Kate.} Oh no.

{Fel.} _(from another book)_ "Poor mother's receipt for brewing herb beer. Note: but n.o.body can brew it like poor mother could."

{Kate.} _(takes the book from Fel. and reads-- aside to Fel.)_ Gilbert's mother was my nurse, _(takes book from Fel.--looking over her shoulder at Gil., who is writing)_ Poor fellow!

{Fel.} _(opens another book)_ "An account of Joe Skilliter's pig, who could say 'Yes' and 'No,' by moving his ears. Note: When Joe's pig was killed it was tough eating. Another argument against the spread of education."

{Gil.} _(rises and comes down to table. He places a note before Kate)_ The few words, Squire, _(she takes the note)_ Ah! don't read 'em till I've gone.