HELEN. Could I speak to mother, alone? (She rises.)
DONOHUE. You cannot.
(CROSBY and WILLIAM rise. CROSBY moves to L. end of chesterfield.)
ROSALIE (R. end of chesterfield). Where is the 'arm in that? A child 'as the right to talk to 'er own mother any time she does want.
DONOHUE. Anything you wish to say you can say in front of me.
ROSALIE (coming to HELEN C.). Darling, you need not mind the nice Inspector. I well know that there was never anything in your mind that you could not say before all the world. (There is a pause.) Tell your mother, my darling.
(CROSBY is now C. WILLIAM stands below him C.)
HELEN (beginning to cry). I can't. I can't.
ROSALIE (C.). Stop, there 'as been crying enough. I did lose my 'ead through that. Stop crying or I will beat you. (She too begins to cry and takes her daughter in her arms again.) There, there, my dear. Your mother is not going to let anyone 'urt you—not anyone at all. (They cry together for a moment, and then ROSALIE gets her self-control back. She blows her nose vigorously.) We will both be the better for that. Now then, tell me.
HELEN. Mother, I can't.