{Gun.} Why, parson, I thought, the gell being in the choir, and sittin' well forrard in the gallery, as how you might, so to speak, preach right full at her. The Serjeant goes to church, too, and you could lug him in at the finish with the sinners. {Fel.} Oh, don't, parson, don't! {Dormer.} Is the girl happy at home? {Fel.} No, parson, that's it--I'm not happy at home. I--I--I'm not fond of dear father. {Gun.} Ye hear that? It's not the first time she's said it. She said it o' Friday. {Kate.} _(to Fel.)_ Hush! You mustn't speak like that. I loved my father so much, and his memory is the sweetest thing left me. {Fel.} Yes, Squire, and I'm sure I shall love father's memory. But he's not kind, and he's rude to those who are good to me, especially the Serjeant. And I've said that I'll run away, and I mean it, for you know I'm to be Tom Morris's wife, and travel with him to the beautiful places where the regiment goes. {Kate.} _(aside to Dor.)_ What shall I do, parson? _(Kate and Dormer rise--Gunnion pinches Felicity.)_ {Dormer.} _(aside)_ She's only a baby! Keep her as long as you can, Gunnion! _(Gun. and Dor. speak up stage C, in archway.)_ {Kate.} _(Eric rises and stands R., C., To Fel., pointing to door L.)_ Go to that door, child, and call "Christie." _(Fel. crosses to L., door. Kate goes to Eric R. C.--to Eric)_ Do you know this Morris? {Eric.} Yes. {Kate.} What kind of man is he? {Fel.} _(at door L.)_ Christie! {Eric.} The biggest scoundrel in the regiment. _(Christiana appears at door L.)_ {Chris.} _(to Fel.)_ Who are you? {Fel.} I'm Gunnion's daughter. {Chris.} _(frowning)_ Who told you to call "Christie"? {Eric.} _(to Kate)_ Poor little woman--do her a good turn, _(strolls off R., 1, E.)_ _(Kate sits on stone R., C.)_ {Kate.} Felicity! _(Fel. comes to her--Kate passes across in front of her to R., Felicity kneels, Chris. watches them with a dark look from door L., Gun. and Dor. look on from up stage)_ Would you like to be my little maid, and brush my hair, and lace my dresses for me? _(Fel. kneels beside Kate on her R.)_ And sing to me when I'm lonely? {Fel.} Oh, Squire! And I can darn, and mend, and mark, and I can read, and, Squire-- {Kate.} Well? {Fel.} Will you let me tell you all about Tom Morris? {Kate.} Perhaps. Christie! _(gives her a key from chatelaine. Chris, L., C.)_ Felicity Gunnion is coming to live with us, and to be my little maid. Take her up stairs, and give her the small room above mine. _(Felicity rises and goes R., C.)_ {Chris.} I beg your pardon, Squire, but I have been good enough to wait on you since you were that high. What's wrong with me now?