DRAMATIS PERSONA

THE REV. ARCHIBALD HAVERTON: The Vicar.

MRS. HAVERTON: His Wife.

MISS GROSVENOR: A Governess.

MATILDA: A Maid.

FIDO: A Dog.

HERMIONE COBLEY: Daughter of a cottager who takes in washing.

MISS HARVEY: A guest, cousin to Mrs. Haverton, a Unitarian.

(_The_ REV. ARCHIBALD HAVERTON _is reading the "Standard" by a lamp
with a green shade_. MRS. HAVERTON _is hemming a towel_. FIDO
_is asleep on the rug. On the walls are three engravings from Landseer,
a portrait of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, a bookcase with books in
it, and a looking-glass_.)

MRS. HAVERTON: My dear--I hope I do not interrupt you--
Helen has given notice.

REV. A. HAVERTON (_looking up suddenly_).
Given notice?
Who? Helen? Given notice? Bless my soul!