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.
JIM. I went in it to win—my friends kind a put it that way—an' it seems I ought to do my best for them—but—I wish you luck, old man,—I wouldn't take the nomination now—I didn't think Kate cared.
CURTAIN.
ACT II.
SCENE. VERNON'S blacksmith shop, adjoining his living-room. Forge. Door to living-room above forge. Bellows down stage below forge. Bench with vise at left. Big double doors. Trusses. Tub of water back of anvil.
DISCOVERED. JOE and CAL beating weld of tire; ESROM, a half-witted negro, absently playing jew's-harp on trusses.
JOE. [Wearing boots and leather apron.] Hand me the traveller. [HELPER hands it, and drops tire horizontally on anvil, while JOE runs traveller around it inside.] Jes' the same size—give it another heat an' we'll beat her out a quarter inch. [Crosses to left centre. HELPER puts tire into fire and works bellows.] Esrom!
ESROM. Yes, sah.