[_He appropriates the wicker chair. Walter sits edgeways on the table._ I didn't expect to find you here. What are you doing? Looking after their souls? Walter (_pleasantly_). I dropped in for a chat and a smoke, before going on to keep my appointment at your house. What are you doing? (_Sits l. of table._) Ste. I'm looking after their bodies, only some of them won't see it. Pilling's a tough nut to crack. Walter. Not gathered him in yet? Ste. No, but I shall. He's one of your flock. It takes time to get hold of these fellows who come in from the country, (_spitefully_) where the squire and the parson spell omnipotence. He'll change his tune yet, though. Jim (_shaking his head_). I'm not the changing sort. Ste. (_confidently_). You will be. A year or two more of this room and you'll be ripe for anything. Sally (_lifting the tray_). We're ripe now for a change from this. Ste. Don't go, Mrs. Pilling. Sally. I can get my turn at the sink for washing up now. Ste. That can wait. I want to ask you something. Sally (_replacing the tray_). Yes, sir? (_Sits r. of table._) Ste. (_after brief pause_). Well, now, Mrs. Pilling, what would you say we need most in Carrington? Sally (_promptly_). Fresh air. Ste. You've hit the nail on the head. Trust a woman to be sensible when health's at stake. I've a piece of news for you. There's talk of getting a recreation ground for Carrington. Walter (_interested--sincerely_). Indeed! I hadn't heard. It's a most interesting thing. Jim. And about time too. (_Sits below fire._) Ste. (_sentimentalizing_). Yes, you'll be able to take Mrs. Pilling down for a stroll on a summer's evening or a Sunday afternoon and watch little Dick play about on the soft grass breathing the fresh air and fancying yourselves back in the country again. No need to have Dick running about in the streets then. Jim (_curtly_). When? Ste. Well, nothing's settled yet, of course. I'm bringing it up at the next Council meeting and I've a backing on both sides. Alderman Verity's a power in Carrington, I don't mind telling you. Jim. I don't know about your power, sir. What I'm wondering is how it 'ull strike my boss. Walter. It sounds excellent. Jim (_suspiciously_). And where might your land be, Mr. Verity? Ste. Ah, that's a secret yet. Jim. Um. Recreation ground two mile away's no use to my lad and you'll not find land nearer. Ste. It'll not be five minutes from your door. (_Walter turns interestedly from one to the other._) Jim. Then you'll have to burrow for it or hang it in the air. Ste. No, we shan't. The land we have in view's built on at present. Jim. Lots of good that 'ull do--turning people out of house and home to make a playing field, when houses are so scarce an' all. Walter. Yes. To my mind it's more housing accommodation that's most urgent here, Mr. Verity. Ste. We'll get neither without we're helped. There'll be a lot of opposition. Walter. Surely not.