LAURA. [With difficulty.] He wants to break our engagement.

BISHOP.  Ah!  That’s the trouble then.  You two have quarrelled.

LAURA.  He doesn’t need me.  I don’t mean anything to him....

BISHOP.  But of course you do.—­There, Laura, there!

LAURA.  No.  He doesn’t.  I feel it.

BISHOP.  Why, for years you’ve meant everything to him.  He planned to marry you as soon as he graduated. ...

LAURA.  Oh, he’s so muddled—­he’s so muddled!

BISHOP.  I know how you feel, my dear, but lovers’ quarrels ...

LAURA.  It’s not a lovers’ quarrel.  Oh, don’t you understand?  His morale’s all shot.

BISHOP.  Kenneth is essentially sound.  Now don’t worry, my dear. [Indulgently.] I’ll wait and have another talk with him, eh?  Perhaps that’s what he needs; a good, sound, heart-to-heart talk with his father.

LAURA.  He needs a job!  He needs a job!  It’s more important than I am—­more important than you—­more important than anything in the world.

[TED opens the door; starts to come out; hears the tense conversation and stands, hesitant.]

BISHOP.  You are right.  Work is essential,—­more essential than love.  That’s what all these young people need.  Something to do with their hands, with their heads.  To feel that the world needs them—­that they have a right to live.

LAURA.  That they belong!

BISHOP.  Yes, yes ...

LAURA.  You’ve got to find him a job.  You’ve got to!

BISHOP.  Dear child—­if only I could!

LAURA.  You’ve got to!—­even if you have to buy one.

BISHOP.  Buy one?

LAURA. [Moving closer to him.] He need never know....

[TED draws back and softly closes the door.]

SLOW CURTAIN

ACT I

SCENE 2*:  PRESCOTT’S office has an air of magnificence.  Seems high above the street.  In an anteroom can be seen the BISHOP, waiting, LUCILLE, PRESCOTT’S secretary, a smartly-dressed young woman, is in the office, reading a newspaper.  After a moment, BISHOP HOLDEN comes to the door.]

* This scene can be omitted.

BISHOP.  I beg your pardon, [LUCILLE looks up.] Are you sure Mr.
Prescott will be back?

LUCILLE.  Yes sir.

BISHOP.  You think I ought to wait?

LUCILLE.  Saturday’s a bad day.  Why don’t you come back on Monday?

BISHOP.  I must see him today.  If I can’t see him here I shall try to see him at his home.

LUCILLE. [Quickly.] Then you had better wait.

BISHOP.  Very well. [He goes out, sits down, LUCILLE begins to type; the telephone rings.  Before answering, she closes door, shutting out the BISHOP.]

LUCILLE.  Hello?  Yes, Mrs. Prescott.  Not yet, but he took the eleven-thirty train out of Washington and should be here any moment. [Listens.] At the Colony?  I’ll tell him the minute he comes in. [Hangs up.]