{Gil.} Folks will have to laugh at me, Squire, if they are to get a laugh out of me, to-morrow, _(he takes a few rusty keys and some small dog-eared books from his pocket, and places them on table before Kate)_ Here are the keys--the Red Barn, the barn below Fenning's field, the store house. The key of the oats house--_(Kate puts key and money in key basket)_--Gunnion's got. _(puts books on table)_ There's my account--it's poor book-keeping, Squire, but plain. Will you cast your eye over it? {Kate.} _(shaking her head)_ No! {Gil.} Thank you, Squire, _(places a little bag of money before her)_ John Buckle's rent, and Mrs. Tester's arrears--less some job wages paid by me since Saturday. And that's all. {Kate.} Thank you Gilbert. {Gil.} And now, Squire, I can't say good-bye to you in two words. Will you hear what I've to say? {Kate.} Certainly, Gilbert, _(gives book to Felicity)_ _(Gil. looks at Fel. and at Chris, and learn over the back of Kate's chair.)_ {Gil.} _(in an undertone to Kate)_ Can't it be between us two, Squire? {Kate.} No! {Gil.} _(aside in Kate's ear)_ Kate, I'm almost a desperate man. Take care how you treat me to-night. {Kate.} _(without moving, aside to Gil.)_ How dare you speak to me like that? {Gil.} _(aside to Kate)_ Reason before you let your good friends slip from you. I'll give you a chance to consider what you are doing, _(turns up to bureau --aloud)_ Squire, I want to scribble a few words to you. _(pointing to bureau)_ May I write here? {Kate.} If you please. _(Gil. sits at bureau and writes quickly.)_ _(fretfully)_ What are all these, Felicity? {Fel.} _(opening book and reading)_ "Gilbert Hythe's cures for cows." Shall I read 'em, Squire? {Kate.} Oh no. {Fel.} _(from another book)_ "Poor mother's receipt for brewing herb beer. Note: but nobody can brew it like poor mother could." {Kate.} _(takes the book from Fel. and reads-- aside to Fel.)_ Gilbert's mother was my nurse, _(takes book from Fel.--looking over her shoulder at Gil., who is writing)_ Poor fellow! {Fel.} _(opens another book)_ "An account of Joe Skilliter's pig, who could say 'Yes' and 'No,' by moving his ears. Note: When Joe's pig was killed it was tough eating. Another argument against the spread of education." {Gil.} _(rises and comes down to table. He places a note before Kate)_ The few words, Squire, _(she takes the note)_ Ah! don't read 'em till I've gone. _(Kate replaces the note with a shrug of the shoulders. Christie rises--to Fel.)_ Good-bye, little woman. {Fel.} _(rises with a curtesy)_ Good-bye to ye, Mr. Hythe. _(sits again)_ _(Gil. is going.)_ {Kate.} _(holds out her hand)_ Good-night, Gilbert.