{Eric.} _(aside--reading inscription)_ "Kate's love to Eric." Oh! by Jove, I forgot! _(he crams cigar case hurriedly into his pocket; Kate crosses to Dor. L. C. with coat. Eric saunters over to garden seat R. and sits. Kate assists Dor. to put on his coat)_ {Eric.} _(lazily)_ I really must give up walking, I'm quite knocked up. {Dormer.} The British officer seems very easily knocked up. _(Kate gets L., behind table.)_ {Eric.} The British officer, at whose expense so many people make merry, is a mild creature in "piping times of peace"--no offence to the clay, parson. _(Eric lights a cigar. Dor. crosses to R., C., to speak to him. Kate looks on anxiously, fearing a quarrel.)_ {Dormer.} And in times of war, sir? {Eric.} The British officer, I am credibly informed, is a demon when roused, _(putting his legs up on garden seat)_ I have never been roused. You don't like my profession, parson? {Dormer.} No, sir, I do not. {Eric.} I often wish my mother had made me a parson. {Dormer.} Why, sir? {Eric.} Because, sir, a clergyman is the only man in the world privileged to be rude on the subject of another person's calling. _(Kate approaches them.)_ {Dormer.} A clergyman, sir, is a professional truth-teller. {Eric.} I've known a common soldier to be a practical one. {Dormer.} I recognize no profession which creates idlers. {Eric.} My dear parson, it is the most industrious people who never really do anything. After all, the bees only make honey--and how exceedingly well everybody could get on without honey. {Dormer.} An idler, sir, often does mischief against his will! {Kate.} _(laying her hand on his sleeve)_ Mr. Dormer, don't. {Dormer.} And brings evil into a region where the very purity of the air nourishes it! Mr. Thorndyke, beware of idling! Miss Verity, beware of idlers. Good-day, sir. _(crosses to table L., for hat, and then goes up to archway. Kate gets to R., of him)_ {Eric.} _(closing his eyes with fatigue)_ Must you really go? _(takes out "Sporting Times")_ {Kate.} _(soothingly)_ You'll come again, Mr. Dormer--some day, when Mr. Thorndyke isn't here. {Dormer.} _(in an undertone)_ If I come again, see that it be then. {Kate.} What do you mean?