Serv Mr. Corrigan, ma’am.
Mrs. C He comes for his answer. Show him in.
[Exit Servant, L. door in flat.
The hour has come, Hardress—what answer shall I give him?
Hard Refuse him—let him do his worst.
Mrs. C And face beggary! On what shall we live? I tell you the prison for debt is open before us. Can you work? No! Will you enlist as a soldier, and send your wife into service? We are ruined—d’ye hear?—ruined! I must accept this man only to give you and yours a shelter, and under Corrigan’s roof I may not be ashamed, perhaps, to receive your wife.
Enter Servant, showing in Mr. Corrigan, L. door in flat.
Corrig [L.] Good morning, ma’am; I am punctual, you perceive.
Mrs. C [C.] We have considered your offer, sir, and we see no alternative—but—but—