ANNIE. Ain't yuh goin' to give me no recommendation?
LAURA. [Impatiently looking around the room.] What good would my recommendation do? You can always go and get another position with people who've lived the way I've lived, and my recommendation to the other kind wouldn't amount to much.
ANNIE. [Sits on trunk.] Ah can just see whah Ah'm goin',—back to dat boa'din'-house in 38th Street fo' me. [Crying.
LAURA. Now shut your noise. I don't want to hear any more. I've given you twenty-five dollars for a present. I think that's enough.
[ANNIE assumes a most aggrieved appearance.
ANNIE. Ah know, but twenty-five dollars ain't a home, and I'm [Rises, crosses to rubbish heap, picks up old slippers and hat, puts hat on head as she goes out, looks into pier-glass.] losin' my home. Dat's jest my luck—every time I save enough money to buy my weddin' clothes to get married I lose my job.
[Exit.
LAURA. I wonder where John is. We'll never be able to make that train. [She crosses to window, then to desk, takes out time-table, crosses to armchair and spreads time-table on back, studies it, crosses impatiently to trunk, and sits nervously kicking her feet. After a few seconds' pause the bell rings. She jumps up excitedly.] That must be he,—Annie—go quick. [ANNIE crosses and opens the door in the usual manner.
JIM'S VOICE. [Outside.] Is Miss Murdock in?
ANNIE. Yassuh, she's in.