SWEEDLE dashes forward. The door swings to behind him. There is dead silence.
WALTER. [Starting forward to the inner room] The woman-she's fainting!
He and COKESON support the fainting RUTH from the doorway of the clerks' room.
COKESON. [Distracted] Here, my dear! There, there!
WALTER. Have you any brandy?
COKESON. I've got sherry.
WALTER. Get it, then. Quick!
He places RUTH in a chair—which JAMES has dragged forward.
COKESON. [With sherry] Here! It's good strong sherry. [They try to force the sherry between her lips.]
There is the sound of feet, and they stop to listen. The outer door is reopened—WISTER and SWEEDLE are seen carrying some burden.