SCENE I.
Shaftesbury Avenue, 8.30 p.m. A gentleman walking
witha friend, both in evening dress. A little ragged
girl, A youngman. The gentleman stops and gives
the lstile girl a halfpenny. The young man smiles.
The gentleman notices the smile, and sees how great a
sadness underlies it.
VAUGHAN.
[Durning to the young man.]
ND you—what are you doing here? Excuse
my rudeness—you seem so sad.
PERCY.
I am sad to-night. I am very lonely in this place.
VAUGHAN.
There are plenty of people about.
PERCY.
People—mere shells, husks of the golden wheat
that might grow even here.
VAUGHAN.
Why do you stay here?