Dr. Jonathan (smiling at her as he takes her hand).  The pleasure is —­mutual.

Minnie (puzzled, but somewhat reassured).  Glad to meet you.

Dr. Jonathan.  I’ve come to live in Foxon Falls.  I hope we’ll be friends.

Minnie.  I hope so.  I’m going back to Newcastle this afternoon, there’s nothing doing here.

Dr. Jonathan.  Would you stay, if there were something doing?

Minnie.  I—­I don’t know.  What would I be doing here?

Augusta (disapprovingly, surveying, Minnie’s costume).  I don’t think I should have recognized you, Minnie.

Minnie.  City life agrees with me, Mrs. Pindar.  But I needed a little rest cure, and I came to see what the village looked like.

Dr. Jonathan.  A sort of sentimental journey, Minnie.

Minnie (flashing a look at George, and another at Dr. Jonathan).  Well, you might call it that.  I get you.

Augusta.  Minnie, what church do you attend in Newcastle?

Minnie.  Well, I haven’t got a seat in any particular church, Mrs.
Pindar.

Augusta.  I didn’t expect you to go to the expense of getting a seat.  I hope you delivered the letter our minister gave you to the minister of the First Church in Newcastle.

Minnie.  No, I didn’t, Mrs. Pindar, and that’s the truth.  I never went near a church.

Augusta (drily).  It’s a pity you ever went to Newcastle, I think.

Minnie.  It’s some town!  Every time you ride into it you see a big sign, “Welcome to Newcastle, population one hundred and six thousand, and growing every day.  Goodbye, and thank you!”

Augusta (knitting).  You drive about in automobiles!

Minnie.  Oh, sometimes I get a joy ride.

Augusta.  It grieves me to hear you talk in this way.  I knew you were pleasure loving, I thought I saw certain tendencies in you, yet you seemed to realize the grace of religion when you were in my Bible class.  Your brother Jamesy took to drink—­

Minnie.  And I took to religion.  You meant to be kind, Mrs. Pindar, and I thank you.  But now I know why Jamesy took to drink—­it was for the same reason I took to religion.

Augusta (scandalized).  Minnie!

Minnie.  We were both trying to be free, to escape.

Augusta.  To escape?  From what?

Minnie (with a gesture indicating futility).  I guess it would be pretty hard to get it across to you, Mrs. Pindar.  But I was working ten hours a day packing tools in your shops, and all you gave me when the whistle blew was—­Jesus.

   (A pause:  George takes a step toward her.)

Jamesy took to drink, and I took to Jesus.  I’m not saying anything against Him.  He had His life, but I wanted mine.  Maybe He would have understood.