_(Gil. looks at Chris., who is busy knitting, then speaks aside to Kate.)_ {Gil.} _(in an undertone)_ You haven't read my note yet, Squire. _(Kate elevates her eyebrows in surprise--Gil. crosses to L., to Chris.)_ Good-bye, Chris., my girl. {Chris.} Turn up your collar, Gilbert, it's bitter cold, _(turns it up for him)_ {Gil.} You're right, there's a wet mist; we're going to have a bad night, take my word for it. Good-night to you. _(He goes out L., Kate rises and goes to window R.)_ {Kate.} _(looking out)_ Good-night. It is as black as ink. _(shivering)_ Christie, make up a fire here. I shall read for a little while before I go to bed. _(puts money and key basket in bureau drawer, and sits on stool by bureau)_ {Chris.} _(looking at Fel., who is reading the little books)_ My hands are as white as hers, but I suppose she is to be the lady's maid. {Kate.} Oh, Christie, Christie, after all these years! Surely you are my friend still, _(takes book from table)_ {Chris.} I know I'm your servant; whether or not I'm your friend, Squire, is another matter; but I'm not her friend, and I own it. {Kate.} You're very foolish, and very jealous. {Chris.} That's it, I'm jealous; I hope there'll never be a worse name for it. _(She goes out, door L., Kate sits on sofa L.)_ {Kate.} _(to Fel.)_ You can run off to bed, little maid. {Fel.} Thank'ee, Squire, _(puts books down)_ {Kate.} I shan't want you any more to-night. _(Fel. curtseys--crosses to door L., carrying the soldier's portrait.)_ Don't forget to say your prayers. {Fel.} _(coming down)_ Squire, _(looks round nervously, twitching apron. Kate looks up from her book)_ {Kate.} _(raising her head--fretfully)_ What is it? {Fel.} I suppose there's no harm in a girl praying for her sweetheart? {Kate.} No--if he's a good fellow and worthy of her. {Fel.} If he's a bad 'un, praying's likely to be of more good to him. _(she comes nearer Kate and speaks in an undertone)_ Because, Squire--don't be vexed at me--because, if you like, when I'm praying for Tom I might make a small mention of--er--the other gentleman, _(close to Kate)_ {Kate.} What other gentleman? {Fel.} _(bending forward and whispering)_ The young lieutenant, Squire. _(Kate rises angrily)_ {Kate.} How dare you! I am very angry with you! There's not the slightest--Oh, Felicity, how came you to think of such a thing? _(she draws Fel. to her. Fel. claps her hands and laughs)_ {Fel.} He's such a nice young man, Squire--you couldn't help it. {Kate.} Be quiet, child. We don't always fall in love with nice young men. {Fel.} We do generally, Squire. May I just mention him along with Tom? Parson won't know.