[ACT I.]
Scene.—The Vicarage Garden, according to plan.
Time.—Early morning.
(After the curtain rises Thorsby enters at gate L. I. E., looks at French window, crosses and looks at kitchen window, goes over cautiously to the tree R.; he mounts on the seat and extracts a letter from the cavity in the tree, replacing it with one of his own; he then stands leaning against the tree, while he opens, kisses, and begins to read the letter; while he is doing this, Gandy comes out of the house with toast in rack and jam on dish on salver; he catches sight of Thorsby; crosses to top of table L.)
Gan. Good morning, Mr. Thorsby!
Thor. (startled, squashes letter into his pocket) Eh! Oh, good morning! I was—I—wanted to see Mr. Pillenger.
Gan. Mr. Pillenger ain't much in the 'abit of climbin' trees before breakfast. (puts jam on table)
Thor. No, of course not. (he jumps down) I thought I saw a bird's nest, (looks) I was mistaken; but feeling (Boy heard whistling the A.M.B.) rather warm after my walk, I fancied it would be cooler under the branches. My object, in fact, was——
Gan. Shady! (crosses down L. of table)
Thor. What?