Kitty. No, Tom: I'm serious now. Find Harry Maynard, and you shall be my hero.
Tom. Hooray, Kitty: tell me all about it. I'll be off by the next train. Come (gives her his arm), I can't keep still: I must keep moving. (Exeunt l.)
Jessie. Lost! lost to me, and I loving him so dearly! You must forget him! He said forget: it is impossible. He loved me so dearly, too, before he left this house in search of fortune. No, no: I will not give him up; there must be some way to save him. If I only knew how! O Harry, Harry! why do you wander from the hearts that love you? Come back, come back! (Covers her face and weeps. Enter Charity Goodall from r., through gate.)
Charity. Oh, this is delicious! I've climbed fences, torn my way through bushes, and had the most delightful frolic with Farmer Chips's little Chips on the hay, with nobody to check my fun and remind me of the proprieties of life. Ha, ha, ha! How my rich neighbor, Mrs. Goldfinch, would stare to see me enjoying myself in the country! Little I care! I shall go back with a new lease of life, a harvest of fresh country air, that will last me through the winter. (Sees Jessie.) Hey-day, child, what's the matter? (Sits beside her.)
Jessie (flinging her arms round Charity's neck). O Aunt Charity! Harry, Harry—
Charity. Ah! the truant's heard from at last; and not the most delightful tidings, judging by your tear-stained cheeks. Well, child, tell me all about it.
Jessie. He's lost to us. He has fallen into temptation; he's—
Charity. The old story. "A certain man went down unto Jericho, and fell among thieves."
Jessie. O Aunt Charity, how can you be so heartless!