Oh! oh! my poor little sister!… I shall cry too!… [She stifles her sobs on her sister's shoulder.

THE STRANGER.

He must be knocking again…. The father looks at the clock. He rises.

MARTHA.

Sister, sister, I want to go in too…. They cannot be alone any longer….

MARY.

Martha! Martha!… [She holds her back.

THE STRANGER.

The father is at the door…. He draws the bolts…. He opens the door prudently….

MARTHA.