Mary. Well, if you are, I'm going to say yes to Alick McCready. I don't want to yet awhile, but I'm not going to stay on here if that nasty woman comes. (She kneels close beside her father and puts her arms round his neck.) Oh, father, if you only give me another chance, I could show you I could keep house every bit as well as that woman. (Daniel appears at the door. He slips across to the workshop unobserved.) Give me another chance, father. Don't marry her at all. Let me stay with you—won't you?
John. You're too late. She's trothed to me now.
Mary. Pooh. I'd think nothing of that. (Daniel comes out of the workshop with a bag.) Uncle Dan! What's the matter?
Daniel. Mary, I can't eat and sit beside that Scotchman. (He notices John is absorbed in deep thought, and motions Mary to slip out. She does so, and he looks observingly at John, and then goes to the table, and makes a noise with the bag on the table. John watches him a moment or two in amazed silence.)
John. What are you doing, Daniel?
Daniel. Just making a few preparations.
John. Ah, but look here. I haven't settled about London yet, Daniel.
Daniel. Oh, London, John. (Deprecatingly.) Let that pass. I won't worry you about that. (Broken heartedly.) I'm leaving your house, John.
John (astonished). What?