ASHER. Oh! (He goes up to DR. JONATHAN and takes his hand, though it is quite evident that his mind is still on the trouble in the shops). Glad to see you back in Foxon Falls, Jonathan. I heard you'd arrived, and would have dropped in on you, but things are in a muddle here just now. DR. JONATHAN. Not only here, but everywhere. ASHER. You're right. The country's going to the dogs. I don't know what will straighten it out. DR. JONATHAN. Intelligence, open-mindedness, cooperation, Asher. ASHER (arrested: looking at him). Hum! DR. JONATHAN (leaving him and going up to TIMOTHY). You don't remember me, Timothy? TIMOTHY. Sure and I do, sir,--though you were only a little lad. You mind me of your father,--your smile, like. He was the grand, simple man! It's happy I am to see you back in Foxon Falls. DR. JONATHAN. Yes, I've been ordered to the rear. TIMOTHY. The rear, is it? I'm thinking we'll be fighting this war in Foxon Falls, too. DR. JONATHAN. Yes, much of it will be fought behind the battle lines. AUGUSTA. You think the Germans will come over here? DR. JONATHAN. No, but the issue is over here already. (DR. JONATHAN picks up her ball of wool, which has fallen to the floor.) AUGUSTA (looking at him apprehensively: puzzled). Thank you, Jonathan. (She turns to TIMOTHY, who has started toward the door, lower right) Wait a moment, Timothy, I want to ask you about your children. What do you hear from Minnie? I always took an interest in her, you know,--especially when she was in the tool packing department of the shops, and I had her in my Bible class. I appreciated your letting her come,--an Irishman and a Catholic as you are. TIMOTHY. The Church has given me up as a heathen, ma'am, when I married your cook, and she a Protestant. AUGUSTA. I've been worried about Minnie since she went to Newcastle. She has so much vitality, and I'm afraid she's pleasure loving though she seemed to take to religion with her whole soul. And where's Jamesy? TIMOTHY. Jamesy, is it? It's gone to the bad entirely he is, with the drink. He left the shops when the twelve-hour shifts began--wherever he's at now. It's home Minnie came from Newcastle yesterday, ma'am, for a visit,--she's outside there now, with Bert,--they walked along with me. AUGUSTA. Bring them in, I want to see them,--especially Minnie. I must say I'm surprised she should have come home without calling on me. TIMOTHY. I'll get them, ma'am. (He goes out of the door, upper right. GEORGE, who has been palpably ill at ease during this conversation, now makes for the door, lower right.) AUGUSTA. Where are you going, my dear? GEORGE (halting). I thought I'd look around and see if I'd forgotten anything, mother. AUGUSTA. Stay with us,--there's plenty of time. (TIMOTHY returns through the doorway, upper right, with BERT, but without MINNIE.)