Ste. Look here, if you won't take it from me, will you take it from Mr. Montgomery? Jim. I don't know. He's a young 'un. More like a man than a parson. Coming in here and smoking his pipe like you might do yourself. Ste. But he is a parson--young Montgomery. Jim (_grudgingly_). Aye. He's a man I trust. Ste. Then if he tells you, will you vote for turning the Polygon into a playing ground? Jim (_confidently_). He won't. Ste. But if he does? Jim. I'll see. (_Re-enter Sally and Dick._) Ste. Hullo! Patched the little man up? Sally. Yes. (_Dick exhibits a black plaster about his knee._) Ste. I'll get out of your way, Mrs. Pilling. I've an appointment to keep at home. Good-night. (_Crosses below table to door._) Sally, Jim. Good-night. Ste. (_turning at door, patting Dick's head_). Goodnight, Dick. (_Dick doesn't respond. Exit Stephen._) Sally. Good riddance and all. Now, Dick, you ought to have been in bed long ago. (_Takes Dick up to bed._) Dick. Can't I come and watch you wash up? Sally. No, you can't. (_She begins to undress him._) Dick. I want my supper. Sally. You can have it in bed. Jim. You don't like Verity, lass? Sally. And never did. What's he want with bothering round week after week? We're not his class. Jim. Vote's what he's after, and it's a marvel to me what they will do for votes. Sally. You'll do yourself no good with him, Jim. Jim. I'm thinking so myself. He's a bit too keen on this recreation ground, Verity is. Been putting himself about something extraordinary. (_Crosses to fireplace, taking pipe._) I fancy, you know, there's, something behind all this. (_The undressing of Dick advances._) CURTAIN. ACT II _Stephen Verity's dining-room the same evening. The room has doors right and left. Window with drawn blind, r. Large table centre with chairs. Fireplace left. Solid-looking sideboard back centre. The furniture is solid, old-fashioned, and the atmosphere of the room is one of heavy comfort without ostentation. The room is a small one. No books anywhere. In an armchair before the fire is Stephen Verity. Walter Montgomery faces him in a highbacked chair. Stephen is smoking a large, well coloured briar._ [Illustration: 0092] Stephen (_removing the pipe_). So you think you're good enough to marry my daughter, do you? Walter. I ventured to think so. Ste. Why? Walter. Because I love her, Mr. Verity. Ste. That the only reason? Walter. No. Ste. What are the others? Walter. She loves me. Ste. Did she tell you so? Walter. Yes. Ste. Um! (_Slight pause; he smokes reflectively._) That all? Walter (_rather startled_). All what? Ste. All your reasons. Walter. Yes, I think so. Ste. They're too few. Walter. But---- Ste. I'll ask _you_ something. Walter. Yes? Ste. What do you want to get married for? Walter. I'm in love.