Mrs. C. Edgar!
Poe. Forgive me! It ’s just something I ’m writing here. But for God’s sake take the stuff away!
(Mrs. Clemm turns to go, the tray trembling in her hands. Poe runs to her and kisses her) You sweetest and best of mothers, don’t you see that if I eat this I ’ll spend the next two hours digesting toast and eggs, and if I don’t eat it I ’ll be making our fortune, putting a roof over our heads, and keeping our Virginia happy!
Mrs. C. I only meant to be kind, Edgar.
Poe. I know you did, and you’re my darling mother,—but don’t be kind any more.
(Exit Mrs. Clemm. Poe sits despairingly at table. Enter Ethel and Annie)
Eth. O, Edgar, where is Virginia? We want her to go nutting with us.
Annie. We shall have her now! You shan’t keep her all to yourself just because you ’ve married her!
Poe. Take her by all means!
Eth. You need n’t be vicious about it. Where is she?