BISHOP. [Wringing his hands.] Radicalism and liquor. Liquor and radicalism, [LAURA is unresponsive; sits stony-eyed and heart-sick.] My poor child. My poor child.

LAURA. Poor Ken!

BISHOP. We must be strong. And patient. [Silence.] How did he learn of this?

LAURA. He quarrelled with Ted and Ted lost his temper and told.

BISHOP. Ted? But how came he to know of it?

LAURA. Oh, I don't know.

BISHOP. Such a nice young man, I always thought. He seemed so ...

LAURA. [In despair.] What are we to do about Ken?

BISHOP. He blamed me. He said I had betrayed him.

LAURA. [Impatiently.] How are we to give him back his self-confidence?