JOE. Who is it from, Kate?
KATE. I don't care to tell. I'm going out. [Starts.
MRS. VERNON. [Interposes.] No, Kate, you ain't.
JOE. Why, ma—if Kate wants to go walkin'—
MRS. VERNON. All right, she kin walk. But getting letters sneaked to her, and going out to meet a man's another thing. [Persuasively going to her.] Why don't you tell, Kate?
KATE. [Down to end of table.] No one has a right to my letters.
JOE. Of course not. No right, Kate, but your ma's naturally anxious, and she's only tryin' for your good.
KATE. [Ready to weep.] I'm awfully tired of it.
JOE. But you kin tell me—you ain't ashamed of it, air you?
KATE. No, I'm not!