KATE. You and father are trying for the Legislature? [JIM _nods._] A nomination in this county is as good as an election, isn't it? JOE. [_Explaining._] On our ticket. JIM _nods._ KATE. You have been very kind to me--kinder than any man I know--you've stood up for me; and you've given me lots of handsome presents-- JIM. Well?-- KATE. You have been very kind--I like your sister Emily--as well as if she were my _own_ sister--but Joe Vernon's my _father_--he's an older man than you are-- MRS. VERNON. [_Butting in._] Well, if he wasn't--KATE. Wait, mother-- [_To JIM._] I shall work for him. [JIM _nods._] In every possible way--I know a good many of these delegates--I know their wives--I shall see them. JIM. [_Pause._] Does politics make any difference to you, Kate? KATE. His election does. It means a step out of this life, a breath away from the shop--it means a broader horizon for me--[_Turns away, overcome by her feelings._ JIM. [_Pause._] Well, Joe--I went in this thing to _win_-- JOE. Don't mind her, Jim. JIM. I went in it to win--my friends kind a put it that way--an' it seems I ought to do my best for _them_--but--I wish you luck, old man,--I wouldn't take the nomination now--I didn't think Kate cared. CURTAIN. ACT II. SCENE. VERNON'S _blacksmith shop, adjoining his living-room. Forge. Door to living-room above forge. Bellows down stage below forge. Bench with vise at left. Big double doors. Trusses. Tub of water back of anvil._ DISCOVERED. JOE _and_ CAL _beating weld of tire;_ ESROM, _a half-witted negro, absently playing jew's-harp on trusses._ JOE. [_Wearing boots and leather apron._] Hand me the traveller. [HELPER _hands it, and drops tire horizontally on anvil, while_ JOE _runs traveller around it inside._] Jes' the same size--give it another heat an' we'll beat her out a quarter inch. [_Crosses to left centre._ HELPER _puts tire into fire and works bellows._] Esrom! ESROM. Yes, sah. JOE. I'm purty busy now, an' that tune--can't you let up till I'm through? ESROM. Yes, sah. JOE. An' while you're resting you might bring another bucket o' water an' dump it in this tub. ESROM. [_Going._] Yes, sah--don't you really want to buy any mo' coke? JOE. Not this morning, Esrom. [_Exit_ ESROM _with jew's-harp, playing._] Ready? [_Takes tire from fire and hammers weld out--when pounding is done, traveller runs over it as before. Enter_ MRS. VERNON. MRS. VERNON. Joe, can't you leave that now? JOE. Course I can't, ma--it's Louisiana time now. MRS. VERNON. Well, the breakfast's spilin'. [_Exit._ JOE. [_Calling._] Well, it's Dave an' his durned alarm-clock--if I'd let Kate set it--I guess she's all right now, Cal. [HELPER _puts tire in fire--last heating._ JOE _goes to trusses and lays wheel square. Enter_ SARBER. SARBER _wears linen duster and boots, and carries a whip._] Hello, Bill. SARBER. [_Down_] Hello, Joe--mighty nigh time. [_Looking at watch._