{Kate.} She must have been. Was she--good? _(no answer)_ We've never had a chat together, till now. Was she good? {Dormer.} No. {Kate.} _(in a whisper)_ Oh! _(rises and lays her hand on Dor's shoulder, gently)_ I'm so sorry. And now they tell me you've no woman-folk at the Rectory. {Dormer.} No. {Kate.} Only awkward, clumsy men. {Dormer.} Two honest men. {Kate.} _(looking at his shoulder)_ That's why your sleeve is coming away from your coat at the shoulder for want of a few stitches. Shall I mend it for you? {Dormer.} When will that woman bring the basket? _(rises and crosses to c.)_ {Kate.} _(pointing to table R.)_ There's a needle and thread, and a thimble on my table. Take off your coat and I'll sew till the basket comes. Please. _(With a sigh of despair he lets her take off his coat, she standing behind him.)_ {Dormer.} That's the worst of women. I should never have known the coat was torn. _(Kate takes the coat over to R., and sits on garden seat mending coat Dormer stands with his hands in his pockets.)_ {Kate.} _(seated r)_. Would you rather go indoors, parson? {Dormer.} No. I'd rather stay where I am. {Kate.} Please to walk up and down, then, to avoid catching cold. _(Dormer sits obstinately at table; as he does so, the contents of one of his coat pockets drop at Kate's feet)_ Oh, dear, something has fallen out of the pocket. {Dormer.} _(rising quickly)_ What is it? _(Kate picks up a clay pipe much blackened.)_ {Kate.} A clay pipe--dirty one. {Dormer.} _(hurrying over to C.)_ Is it broken? {Kate.} _(handing it to him)_ Not a chip, _(picking up a tobacco pouch which has also dropped)_ Would you care to smoke? {Dormer.} _(returning to table)_ No, thank you, ma'am. {Kate.} Poor father used to feel great interest in the colouring of a clay pipe. {Dormer.} _(with interest)_ Did he? I think better of him for it. {Kate.} But father had great troubles, which made him throw his pipes at the servant, _(rises, comes across to Dormer, who is seated L., C., again, and offers pipe which she has filled, then strikes a match which she has brought from R., table)_ I could load a pipe very nicely once--father used to say I crammed pretty thoughts into it. _(quickly)_ Of course I don't want you to say that if you don't think so. _(gives him the match)_ {Dormer.} _(lighting pipe)_ Thank ye. _(Kate goes back to R., and puts matches on table. Chris. enters from house R., C. carrying a basket neatly packed and covered with a white napkin.)_ {Chris.} _(comes down steps to C.)_ The basket is packed, parson. Chicken and jelly, sponge cakes, grapes--_(seeing Dormer in his coat sleeves)_ Well, I never--!