Colonel Wharton.

If she’ll wait a minute she’ll have the chance of seeing the young fellow himself.

[Kate comes in, followed by Mrs. Poole. The visitor is a thin, rather dour person of middle age, brisk in her movements, competent and firm. She is a woman who knows her own mind and has no hesitation in speaking it. She is not unsympathetic. She wears a serviceable black coat and skirt and a black straw hat.

Kate.

Mrs. Poole.

[Exit.

Colonel Wharton.

What do you mean by trying to get away without showing yourself? Is this how you do your district visiting?

Mrs. Poole.