Mrs George [agitated beyond measure] Stop.  Not that.  You shall respect that if you respect nothing else.  I forbid you. [He kneels at her feet].  What are you doing?  Get up:  dont be a fool.

Hotchkiss.  Polly:  I ask you on my knees to let me make George’s acquaintance in his home this afternoon; and I shall remain on my knees till the Bishop comes in and sees us.  What will he think of you then?

Mrs George [beside herself] Wheres the poker?  She rushes to the fireplace; seizes the poker; and makes for Hotchkiss, who flies to the study door.  The Bishop enters just then and finds himself between them, narrowly escaping a blow from the poker.

The bishop.  Dont hit him, Mrs Collins.  He is my guest.

Mrs George throws down the poker; collapses into the nearest chair; and bursts into tears.  The Bishop goes to her and pats her consolingly on the shoulder.  She shudders all through at his touch.

The bishop.  Come! you are in the house of your friends.  Can we help you?

Mrs George [to Hotchkiss, pointing to the study] Go in there, you.  Youre not wanted here.

Hotchkiss.  You understand, Bishop, that Mrs Collins is not to blame for this scene.  I’m afraid Ive been rather irritating.

The bishop.  I can quite believe it, Sinjon.

Hotchkiss goes into the study.

The bishop [turning to Mrs George with great kindness of manner] I’m sorry you have been worried [he sits down on her left].  Never mind him.  A little pluck, a little gaiety of heart, a little prayer; and youll be laughing at him.

Mrs George.  Never fear.  I have all that.  It was as much my fault as his; and I should have put him in his place with a clip of that poker on the side of his head if you hadnt come in.

The bishop.  You might have put him in his coffin that way, Mrs Collins.  And I should have been very sorry; because we are all fond of Sinjon.

Mrs George.  Yes:  it’s your duty to rebuke me.  But do you think I dont know?

The bishop.  I dont rebuke you.  Who am I that I should rebuke you?  Besides, I know there are discussions in which the poker is the only possible argument.

Mrs George.  My lord:  be earnest with me.  I’m a very funny woman, I daresay; but I come from the same workshop as you.  I heard you say that yourself years ago.

The bishop.  Quite so; but then I’m a very funny Bishop.  Since we are both funny people, let us not forget that humor is a divine attribute.

Mrs George.  I know nothing about divine attributes or whatever you call them; but I can feel when I am being belittled.  It was from you that I learnt first to respect myself.  It was through you that I came to be able to walk safely through many wild and wilful paths.  Dont go back on your own teaching.