Simon. Where are you going, Nancy?
Nancy. To the kitchen, where I belong. I’m no fit associate for a member of the ring.
Simon (rising). Then I’ll go too.
Nancy. Indeed! a dirty kitchen is no place for a member of the ring. (Exit R. I. E.)
Simon. They’re in all kinds of dirty business anyhow. Don’t think, then, that will prevent me. Well, I’ve made her about as mad as I dare. She’s a smart girl, Nancy is, and she’ll find that, with or without money, there’s nothing shabby about me. (Exit R. I. E. May runs in front door L.)
May. Roy. Roy, where?——I must have dreamed, when I threw myself upon the bed. Such a horrid dream. Where are they all? (Looks off L.) There’s a light in the billiard room, and Marcus and Bess are there. I’ll go to them (goes to I. E. L.). No, how happy they look; I should be in the way. Dear Bess; to-morrow takes her from me, and gives her to another. May she be happy! She will never know my foolish fears for her made so much mischief. (Goes slowly to chair at fireplace, stands with her hand on back of it, looking into fire.) And to-night I shall know all. Ah, Roy, my husband, you know not how those simple words comfort me. In their fulfilment I feel there is a power to lift a burden hard to bear. (Sits in chair, half turned to fire.) And to-night I dreamed of him——the outcast. (Soft music, Matt Winsor opens door C. softly, catches hold of side of doorway and steadies himself, appears drunk.) I thought he appeared before me in all his rags, as once he came (Matt staggers to ottoman near window, catches at top of it and steadies himself eyes on the fireplace), wretched as then, the same drunken look in his eyes. (Matt staggers to table in same way.) Oh, how I trembled as he fixed his eyes upon me and said:
Matt. Roy’s wife (hic), how are you?
May. Ah, ’tis he. (Sinks back into chair.)
Matt. ’Scuse me. You did (hic) n’t ’spect me.
May. Oh yes, yes, you are very welcome: we have sought you——Roy has. I longed for you to come to tell you how sorry I am for the wrong I did you.