JIM. I see. Makin' some improvements. Looks bully, don't it? JOE. Makes the dinin'-room bigger, an' gives more space in the kitchen. Saves steps for ma. MRS. VERNON. [_Approaching dog._] What kind of a poultice's that? Flaxseed? JIM. Gumbo. MRS. VERNON. Gumbo? BOLLINGER. That's what they call that soft mud the river leaves down there when it rises--gumbo. JIM. It's only a cushion so the joltin' wouldn't hurt him. I just been with him to Clark's drug-store. [_To front._] Clark said he wasn't a dog doctor. JOE. Wouldn't 'tend to him, eh? JIM. No--but I'll square it with him. He's up for coroner. [_Starts for shop--stops_.] I told him that a man what'd see a little dumb animal suffer ought to be drummed out of town. Is Dave there? JOE. Yes. JIM. Well, we'll splinter this leg ourselves. [_Going_. TRAVERS. Why don't you kill him, and put him out of misery? JIM. [_Pause in door_.] Kill this little dog that took a fancy to me, and followed the stage when I got in it! TRAVERS. Yes--why not? JIM. [_After appealing look to the others; then back to_ TRAVERS.] Why, I never killed a man. [_Exit into shop_; JOE, MRS. VERNON, LIZBETH, _follow laughing_. BOLLINGER _exits_ TRAVERS. [_Going to table_.] What did he say? KATE. That he never killed a man. TRAVERS. Well, neither have I. Is that an unusual reputation in Pike County? KATE. It is for one who, like Mr. Radburn, carries seven bullets in his own' body, fired there by men he was arresting. TRAVERS. I've heard he was very fond of you. KATE. [_Turning away_.] Don't talk of that. TRAVERS. May I talk of _my_ love for you? KATE. [_Turning_.] Yes. TRAVERS. You are not happy here. KATE. I feel it is unworthy in me to say that I am not. TRAVERS. Yet, you are not-- KATE. The narrowness of the life oppresses me. I do not live in their world of work and humble wishes--they made the mistake of sending me away to school. I have seen a bigger world than theirs. [_Turns, elbows on table; impulsively_.] I like you, Mr. Travers, because you are a part of that bigger world. TRAVERS. You like me, Kate! Only like? No more? KATE. I don't know. TRAVERS. Will you go with me--away from here, into that bigger world? KATE. Not until I am sure it is you for whom I go, and not merely for the liberty. TRAVERS. How will you ever tell? KATE. Some accident will teach me. It is a dreadful moment, isn't it, when we learn that kinship, the truest kinship, is not a thing of blood, but of ideas--my college mates, who thought as I did, were nearer to me than my family, who never can think as I do. _Enter_ MRS. VERNON. MRS. VERNON. I never see such a hero as that little dog--he jis' seemed to know they was helpin' him when they pulled them poor bones together--jes' look how quiet he stands--whinnered a little, but didn't holler 'tall. [TRAVERS _goes up to door_. KATE. [_Aside_.] That is enough to make the man despise me! [_Goes back to table_. TRAVERS. [_Going up_.] Oh, yes--he knows he's among friends.