[Just as Deborah utters these words she and Franklin perceive each other.  Deborah is utterly taken aback and quite speechless.

ROGER (seeing nothing amiss).  Welcome, Deborah Read.  I present to thee Benjamin Franklin.

[Franklin bows.  Deborah drops a fluttering courtesy, and then clings to Elizabeth Burchard.

DEBORAH (quaveringly).  I—­I feel somewhat faint, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH (seeing nothing amiss).  Then sit at the table, dear Deborah, and a cup of tea will revive thee.

DEBORAH (protesting).  No—!  No—!  I—­I will help you to dress.

ELIZABETH.  Then who will serve Benjamin Franklin?  Thee promised that thee would be hostess, so unless aught is amiss——­

DEBORAH (recovering herself, and suddenly displaying a haughty self-possession).  Naught is amiss, Elizabeth.  I will serve tea if you bid me.

[Deborah sits at one end of the table, Franklin at the other.

ELIZABETH.  Thee knows the Friends’ special meeting to-night is at the same hour as that of the other churches, so when thee hears the church-bells ringing ’twill be time to prepare, sweet Deborah.

DEBORAH (with a gleam).  I’ll not forget the time.  I promise you that, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH. 
Come, Roger.  Thee must wear a fresh neck-cloth.

[Roger and Elizabeth exeunt left.  There is a very long pause.

DEBORAH. 
Will you have tea, Master Franklin?

FRANKLIN. 
If it pleases you, Mistress Read.

DEBORAH. 
Cream?  Sugar?

FRANKLIN. 
I thank you.

[She passes him his cup.  There is another long pause.

FRANKLIN
(with a great sigh). 
’Tis a silent place, Philadelphia!

[Another pause.

FRANKLIN. 
Will you have some bread, Mistress?

DEBORAH
(coldly). 
I thank you, no.

FRANKLIN (bluntly).  Have you ever pondered, Mistress, that pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt? [Footnote:  From “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”]

DEBORAH
(outraged). 
Master Franklin!

FRANKLIN.  I know right well that my poor coat offends you; yet in truth, Mistress Deborah, why should I dress in finer cloth when silks and satins put out the kitchen fire. [Footnote:  From “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”]

DEBORAH. 
’Tis not your coat offends me, ’tis——­

FRANKLIN.  ’Tis that I am neither the son of a gold-laced governor nor a wealthy merchant but only a poor journeyman printer.  Then, Mistress, you have yet to learn that he who hath a trade hath an estate, and he who hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor. [Footnote:  From “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”]

DEBORAH (with spirit).  There you read me wrong, Master Franklin.  I have supped with printers before this.

FRANKLIN.  Then ’twas the printer’s loaf you mocked this morning, Mistress Deborah; and not the printer.  Yet in truth, why should eating in the street displease you, since ’twas a matter of necessity.  Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse, and my purse was not over full.  But—­ diligence is the mother of luck, and heaven gives all things to industry. [Footnote:  From “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”]