Susan. Why, Helen, have you given up the churning? Oh! you have a visitor, I see. (Smiles and approaches.)
Hel. Yes, mother, let me introduce you to Mr. Heartache. He is the young man I spoke to you about—the artist, you know.
Susan. So he is the painter, eh? How do you do, Mr. Heartache?
Percy. Quite well, thank you. (Bows, and then Susan extends hand. Percy accepts it and they shake cordially.) You have a beautiful place here, Mrs. Rodney. High Up Farm is well named. The land is very high and level here and the pure air is simply delightful. The scenery is grand, too, and I mean to make some sketches of it, if I receive permission to do so.
Susan. You mean to paint pictures of the trees and such.
Percy. Yes, that is it.
Hel. Mother, what do you think Hattie Renwick came to board with us for?
Susan (surprised). Why, I don’t know, unless it was to get away from the city for a while and enjoy herself in the fresh country air. What do you mean, Helen?
Hel. Well, I’ll tell you, mother. She came here so she could get acquainted with Mr. Heartache. It seems that he answered a matrimonial advertisement she inserted in some paper, and when she answered him he wrote again, giving his address at the village. She discovered that our farm was right near the village, so she came here. Percy—I mean Mr. Heartache—never saw Miss Renwick, and he cares nothing for her, whatever. She had the audacity to——