Nat—[Turns it over in his hands suspiciously.] Who from?
Sue—Open it and see.
Nat—[Does so and turns over the pages to read the signature—he gives a start—hoarsely.] Danny! It can’t be! But it’s his writing sure enough! [He exclaims with a sudden wild exultation.] Then they must have been lying to me!
Sue—No, the Sarah Allen was wrecked all right, but that was afterwards. He wasn’t on board then. Read it. You’ll see. [Nat sinks back on a chair, evidently depressed by this information. He starts to read the letter with unconcealed indifference, then becomes engrossed, excited, the paper trembling in his hands. The Doctor shakes his head at Sue indicating his disapproval of her giving him the letter. Nat finishes and springs to his feet—angrily.]
Nat—The stupid fool! He let Horne pull the wool over his eyes in fine shape. He deserved all he got for being so dumb!
Sue—[Indignantly.] Nat!
Nat—[Unheedingly.] Oh, if I could only have gone in his place! I knew the kind Horne was. He couldn’t have played that trick on me. I’d have forced the secret out of him if I had to—— [He raises his clenched fist in a gesture of threat like his father’s—then lets it fall and sits down again—disgustedly.] But what’s the use? And what’s the use of this? [Tosses the letter contemptuously on the table.] He might just as well not have written. We’re no wiser than we were before.
Sue—[Snatching up the letter—deeply hurt.] Aren’t you even glad to hear Danny’s alive?
Nat—[Turning to her at once—with remorseful confusion.] Yes—yes—of course, Sue—I don’t have to say that, do I? What I mean is, he never found out from Horne—and we’re no wiser.
Doctor—[Briskly—with a significant glance at Sue.] Well, Susan—Nat—I’ve got to run along—[Meaningly.] I’ll be over again tomorrow, Susan.