NORTHERNER. Don't be afraid. It's not load——
MARY. I'd call 'em in, if I wasn't——
NORTHERNER [leaping to the wall left and bracing himself against it]. Go call them in. Save your poor skin and your husband's if you can. Call them in. You can't save yourself. [Laughs hysterically.] You can't save your miserable skin. Cause if they get me, and don't shoot you, I will.
MARY [leans against left side of centre table for support; in agony]. Oh!
NORTHERNER. You see, you've got to help me whether you want to or not.
MARY [feeling absolutely caught]. I ain't done nothin'. I don't see why ye an' them others come here a threatenin' t' shoot me. I don't want nothin'. I don't want t' do nothin'. I jest want ye all t' git out a here an' leave me an' Thad t' go t' sleep. Oh, I don't know what t' do. Ye got me in a corner where I can't move. [Passes her hand back along the table. Touches the dipper accidentally, and it falls to the floor. Screams at the sound.]
NORTHERNER [leaping toward her]. Now you've done it. They'll be here in a minute. You can't give me up. They'll shoot you if you do. They'll shoot. [Hurries up the stairs, and disappears from sight.]
[MARY stands beside the table, trembling terribly. The SERGEANT, DICK, and THADDEUS come running in.]
SERGEANT. What did you yell for? [No answer.] [Seizing her by the arm.] Answer!
MARY. I knocked the dipper off the table. It scared me.