_March._ Darn your old irons: there’s another blister.
_Kate._ Don’t be alarmed, there’s nothing the matter. I accidentally slipped off the rock; but, thanks to dear Sept., I am quite safe.
_Mrs. Gale._ Come right straight up to your room, and change your clothes. You’ll ketch your death a cold. Come right along. (_Leads KATE off, R._)
_Ray._ (_seizing SEPT.’S hand_). Sept. Gale, Heaven bless you! you’ve done a noble deed. (_Exit, R._)
_Sept._ Well, well, here’s a jolly spree about just nothing at all! But, I say, March, isn’t she splendid? Do you know, when I pulled her from the water into my little craft--I couldn’t help it--I felt as though she belonged to me. Yes: rich, young, beautiful as she is, but for the arm of the rough sailor she would now be sleeping her long sleep beneath the waves.
_March._ Well, I dunno about her belonging to you. All the fish you pull out of the water are yours; but a woman isn’t exactly a fish.
_March._ Sept., you’re a lucky dog. That’s just your luck. I might have been on the water a month without making such a haul as that.
_Sept._ Well, Father Gale, my little spinning Jenny, as you call her, has done good service to-day. Haven’t you a little better opinion of her?
_John Gale._ Sept., my boy, as March says, you’ve had a streak of luck. But don’t brag about that boat.
_Sept._ But I will, though. She is the fastest sailer on the coast; the neatest trimmed, and the cleanest built; and I’m proud of her. Hallo, Kitty, what’s the matter?
_Kitty._ Oh, dear, this is an awful world! Suppose Miss Kate should have been drowned,--and she would if it hadn’t been for me,--hurrying down stairs to tell--
_March._ After she had been saved. You’re a smart one, you are.
_Kitty._ I couldn’t help being late, could I? (_Enter MRS. GALE, R._)
_Mrs. Gale._ Yes, Sept., all right. Come right here and kiss me. You’re a dear, good, noble-- (_hugging him_).
_Sept._ Now, don’t, mother. You’ll spoil me. You’ll make me believe I’ve done something great instead of my duty. (_Enter MR. R., R._)
_Ray._ Kate has quite recovered. Sept. Gale, how can I express my obligations, how reward--
_Sept._ Now, please, don’t Mr. Raymond. Don’t say any thing about it. If I have been the humble instrument of Heaven in saving a life precious to you, believe me the consciousness of duty done is a rich reward, and I ask no other. Oh! here’s Kate. (_Enter KATE, R._)