PURT. Good-bye, Mr. Hanningford; I will write to you to-morrow.
HANN. (Goes to door c.) No hurry. Good-bye.
(Exit c.)
PURT. Well, I can’t understand you, my boy. It’s really a very Quixotic thing to do. Why shouldn’t the man suffer for his crime?
ALLEN. (l.) Because he can’t suffer without bringing suffering to them as I’d rather spare—because he’s the husband of the woman I have been calling Clara Dexter.
PURT. (Astonished.) You don’t say that, lad! When did you learn it?
ALLEN. About five minutes ago. (Crosses to r.; leans on chair.)
PURT. (After a pause.) Hanningford said true; it’s been a rough morning for you. (Going up to Allen and laying his hand on his shoulder.) Would you rather that I stopped with you a bit, lad, or left you alone?
ALLEN. Leave me alone, old friend. (Purt. goes to c. door.) I shall be off soon.
PURT. (At door c.) Where are you going to?