80--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill looks in doorway. Florence at mirror, about to loosen
dress. Turns. Bill comes in. He says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"LISTEN, SIS--A GUY CROAKED ANOTHER FELLOW--A COP THINKS I
DONE IT--I DIDN'T--SO HELP ME GOD!"
He is so pathetic in his fright that she is torn with
sympathy.
81--"Cops" before "Brickdust Row." Night.
"Cops" decide to look in house--go in.
82--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Florence moves close to Bill and finds gun. He nods--says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT'S WHY I'M SCARED--IF THEY FIND IT THEY'LL PINCH
ME--"[53]
She nods. Both start, as at a sound.
[Footnote 53: It is, of course, clear to the spectators that he is not
telling the truth, though not so to Florence.]
83--Hall. Gas-lit.
"Cop" bounding up the stairs.
84--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill in terror. Florence sees the abject fear in his eyes,
and the tenderness and protective sympathy of her nature are
instantly roused. Dropping the gun in a table drawer, and
sitting down, she motions Bill to sit opposite, and command
himself. She picks up needlework, and proceeds to chat with
Bill as unconcernedly as if he were a constant visitor at
the place.
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