JAMES. [After a shorter pause.] Isn’t she very young to marry, sir?

PETER.  Not when she marries into the family; not when I am in the house—­[Touching his chest.] to guard her—­to watch over her.  Leave it to me. [Enthusiastically.] Sit here, James.  Take one of Frederik’s cigars. [JAMES politely thanks him, but doesn’t take one.] It’s a pleasure to talk to some one who’s interested; and you are interested, James?

JAMES.  Yes, sir, I’m much more interested than you might think.

PETER.  Good.  We’ll take up the mail in a minute.  Now, in order to carry out my plans—­

CATHERINE. [Sticking her head in the door.] Ready for coffee?

PETER.  Er—­a little later.  Close the door, dear. [She disappears, closing the door.] In order to carry out my plans, I have had to use great diplomacy.  I made up my mind to keep Katie in the family; being a rich man—­everybody knows it—­I’ve had to guard against fortune-hunters.  However, I think I’ve done away with them, for the whole town understands that Katie hasn’t a penny—­doesn’t it, James?

JAMES.  Yes, sir.

PETER.  Yes, I think I’ve made that very clear.  My dream was to bring Catherine up to keep her in the family, and it has been fulfilled.  My plans have turned out beautifully, for she is satisfied and happy.

JAMES.  But did you want her to be happy simply because you are happy, sir?  Don’t you want her to be happy because she is happy?

PETER.  If she’s happy, why should I care? [Picks up the last letter.

JAMES. If she’s happy.

PETER. [Losing his temper.] What do you mean?  That’s the second time you’ve said that.  Why do you harp on—­

JAMES. [Rising.] Excuse me, sir.

PETER. [Angrily.] Sit down.  What do you know?

JAMES.  Nothing, sir....

PETER.  You must know something to speak in this manner.

JAMES.  No, I don’t.  You’re a great expert in your line, Mr. Grimm, and I have the greatest respect for your opinion; but you can’t mate people as you’d graft tulips.  And more than once, I’ve—­I’ve caught her crying and I’ve thought perhaps ...

PETER. [Pooh-poohing.] Crying?  Of course!  Was there ever a girl who didn’t cry?...  You amuse me ... with your ideas of life....  Ha!  Haven’t I asked her why she was crying,—­and hasn’t she always said:  “I don’t know why—­it’s nothing.”  They love to cry. [Signs the last letter.] But that’s what they all cry over—­nothing.  James, do you know how I happened to meet Katie?  She was prescribed for me by Doctor MacPherson.

JAMES. [Taking the letter.] Prescribed?