JOE. [Heartily.] An’ she likes you, Jim, better’n anybody.

JIM.  Why, I used to think so, Joe, but since this feller’s been in town—­[Slowly crosses and sits on table.

MRS. VERNON.  Pshaw—­I’ll bet that mustach of his’n is dyed.

JOE.  Don’t think about him, Jim, ’cause, if it comes to that, I’ll put my foot down.

JIM.  Not if Kate liked him.

JOE.  Yes, no matter who liked him.

JIM.  But I’d want her to like me.

JOE.  Well, she does.

JIM.  You think so.

JOE.  Sure.

JIM.  Dog gone it!  I’d swap my poney for a trottin’ horse, an’ git one of them two-wheeled carts an’ practice in it till I wasn’t seasick, and me an’ Kate of a Sunday—­say—­driving through Bowling Green!

MRS. VERNON. [Grinning in admiration.] Why, Jim!

JIM. [Growing with his vision.] An’ I’d run that south pyazza all around the house,—­and dog gone it—­we’d have a hired girl.

MRS. VERNON. [Starting something.] That’s the way to treat a woman,
Joe Vernon, an’ if you hadn’t been brought up in Galloway County—­

JOE. [Completing.] Why, Jim, when we was fust married she was so jealous we couldn’t keep a hired girl.

MRS. VERNON. [Waving a hand at him.] I’ve got bravely over it.  You kin git one now.

JOE.  Well—­we don’t need one now.

Enter KATE.

KATE.  No, I’m not offended, Lizbeth, but it isn’t kind.

JOE.  What’s the matter?

LIZBETH and DAVE appear outside of door and disappear slowly.

KATE.  Nothing. [Crossing right of rocker.] Jim—­

JIM.  Katie.

KATE.  You and father are trying for the Legislature? [JIM nods.] A nomination in this county is as good as an election, isn’t it?

JOE. [Explaining.] On our ticket.

JIM nods.

KATE.  You have been very kind to me—­kinder than any man I know—­you’ve stood up for me; and you’ve given me lots of handsome presents—­

JIM.  Well?—­

KATE.  You have been very kind—­I like your sister Emily—­as well as if she were my own sister—­but Joe Vernon’s my father—­he’s an older man than you are—­

MRS. VERNON. [Butting in.] Well, if he wasn’t—­KATE.  Wait, mother—­ [To JIM.] I shall work for him. [JIM nods.] In every possible way—­I know a good many of these delegates—­I know their wives—­I shall see them.

JIM. [Pause.] Does politics make any difference to you, Kate?

KATE.  His election does.  It means a step out of this life, a breath away from the shop—­it means a broader horizon for me—­[Turns away, overcome by her feelings.

JIM. [Pause.] Well, Joe—­I went in this thing to win—­

JOE.  Don’t mind her, Jim.