[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 home. LUCILLE. [_Quickly._] Then you had better wait. BISHOP. Very well. [_He goes out, sits down_, LUCILLE _begins to type; the telephone rings. Before answering, she closes door, shutting out the_ BISHOP.] LUCILLE. Hello? Yes, Mrs. Prescott. Not yet, but he took the eleven-thirty train out of Washington and should be here any moment. [_Listens._] At the Colony? I'll tell him the minute he comes in. [_Hangs up._] [_In a moment the door opens_, PRESCOTT _stands in the doorway, with his back turned, speaking to the_ BISHOP.] PRESCOTT. I'll be with you in a minute, James. [_Enters and shuts the door._] LUCILLE. Oh, Mr. Prescott! You had a good trip, I hope? PRESCOTT. No. It wasn't very good. LUCILLE. Oh, I'm sorry! And it spoiled your weekend, too. PRESCOTT. Spoiled everything. Well, it can't be helped. Anything need my attention here? LUCILLE. It's been very quiet. Your wife telephoned. She said she'd be at the Colony Club, and would you 'phone her there. PRESCOTT. All right. Is that all? LUCILLE. That's about all. PRESCOTT. How long has Bishop Holden been waiting? LUCILLE. About an hour. PRESCOTT. What does he want? LUCILLE. He didn't say. PRESCOTT. Why didn't you tell him I couldn't see him today? LUCILLE. He said he'd go to your house if he couldn't see you here, so I ... PRESCOTT. Can't I get any protection around here? You could have said I was out of town for the weekend. LUCILLE. I didn't think of that. PRESCOTT. You never think of anything.--Send him in. [LUCILLE _goes out_; BISHOP _enters._] BISHOP. Seeing you brings back old times. PRESCOTT. I'm glad to see you, James. Although [_Looks at watch._] If you'd let me know I might have kept myself free....