LAURA. John, I said I'd kill myself, and I mean it. If it's the only thing to do, I'll do it, and I'll do it before your very eyes. [She crosses quickly, gets keys out of satchel, opens trunk, takes gun out of trunk, stands facing JOHN—waiting a moment.] You understand that when your hand touches that door I'm going to shoot myself. I will, so help me God!
JOHN. [Stops and looks at her.] Kill yourself? [Pause.] Before me? [Pause.] All right. [Raising his voice.] Annie, Annie!
ANNIE. [Enters.] Yes, sir.
JOHN. [LAURA looks at JOHN in bewilderment.] You see your mistress there has a pistol in her hand?
ANNIE. [Frightened.] Yassuh—
JOHN. She wants to kill herself. I just called you to witness that the act is entirely voluntary on her part. Now, Laura, go ahead.
LAURA. [Nearly collapsing, drops the pistol to the floor.] John,
I—can't—
JOHN. Annie, she's evidently changed her mind. You may go.
ANNIE. But, Miss Laura, Ah—
JOHN. [Peremptorily.] You may go. [Bewildered and not understanding, ANNIE exits through the portières. In that same gentle tone, but carrying with it an almost frigid conviction.] You didn't have the nerve. I knew you wouldn't. For a moment you thought the only decent thing for you to do was to die, and yet you couldn't go through. I am sorry for you,—more sorry than I can tell. [He takes a step towards the door.