The Hyde’s Homestead, S. Island, New Zealand. Left back, one end of the low homestead with its broad, creeper-covered verandah abuts on to the garden. A rough piece of road runs across right back of stage. Back cloth painted with luxurious vegetation and vivid blue sky. Mixture of common English fruit trees and Eucalyptus, the lily-palm, masses of crimson ratas in flower.
Gordon Hyde and Loveday discovered sitting together in garden, down right. Gordon has a sheaf of papers and writing pad on his knee, pen in hand. Loveday is chewing the end of a flower stalk as though thinking.
Gordon.
(Laying down papers and looking at Loveday with friendship and admiration in his eyes, but not love.) It is good of you coming over so often to help me. I don’t know what I should have done without you. The others try to slay with laughter all my young ideas. I am indebted to you!
Loveday.
No, no! It has been simply splendid for me to see you work out these great ideas. It has been wonderful to watch the little germ of your conception grow and grow and take practical shape in your wonderful brain!
Gordon.
Oh, it is not mine. None of all this (indicating papers on his knee) is mine. All my ideas before that day had been vague and muddled. Now I am only writing down the ideas that vision, that goddess gave me.
Loveday.