Crofts.  No offence, Praed.  Quite allowable as between two men of the world.

Praed [recovering himself with an effort and speaking gently and gravely] Now listen to me, my dear Crofts. [He sits down again].

I have nothing to do with that side of Mrs Warren’s life, and never had.  She has never spoken to me about it; and of course I have never spoken to her about it.  Your delicacy will tell you that a handsome woman needs some friends who are not—­well, not on that footing with her.  The effect of her own beauty would become a torment to her if she could not escape from it occasionally.  You are probably on much more confidential terms with Kitty than I am.  Surely you can ask her the question yourself.

Crofts.  I h a v e asked her, often enough.  But she’s so determined to keep the child all to herself that she would deny that it ever had a father if she could. [Rising] I’m thoroughly uncomfortable about it, Praed.

Praed [rising also] Well, as you are, at all events, old enough to be her father, I don’t mind agreeing that we both regard Miss Vivie in a parental way, as a young girl who we are bound to protect and help.  What do you say?

Crofts [aggressively] I’m no older than you, if you come to that.

Praed. Yes you are, my dear fellow:  you were born old.  I was born a boy:  Ive never been able to feel the assurance of a grown-up man in my life. [He folds his chair and carries it to the porch].

Mrs Warren [calling from within the cottage] Prad-dee!  George!  Tea-ea-ea-ea!

Crofts [hastily] She’s calling us. [He hurries in].

[Praed shakes his head bodingly, and is following Crofts when he is hailed by a young gentleman who has just appeared on the common, and is making for the gate.  He is pleasant, pretty, smartly dressed, cleverly good-for-nothing, not long turned 20, with a charming voice and agreeably disrespectful manners.  He carries a light sporting magazine rifle.]

The young gentleman.  Hallo!  Praed!

Praed. Why, Frank Gardner! [Frank comes in and shakes hands cordially]. 
What on earth are you doing here?

Frank.  Staying with my father.

Praed. The Roman father?

Frank.  He’s rector here.  I’m living with my people this autumn for the sake of economy.  Things came to a crisis in July:  the Roman father had to pay my debts.  He’s stony broke in consequence; and so am I. What are you up to in these parts? do you know the people here?

Praed. Yes:  I’m spending the day with a Miss Warren.

Frank [enthusiastically] What!  Do you know Vivie?  Isn’t she a jolly girl?  I’m teaching her to shoot with this [putting down the rifle].  I’m so glad she knows you:  youre just the sort of fellow she ought to know. [He smiles, and raises the charming voice almost to a singing tone as he exclaims] It’s e v e r so jolly to find you here, Praed.