(Exit, right, rear. Poe comes down stairway)
Poe. Gone? Deliverance! It ’s too chilly for work upstairs. (Coughs) What shall I do here this winter with only one comfortable room in the house? Keep warm by the fire in my brain, I suppose. (Sits and writes. Virginia is heard without, humming a song. She enters, left, front, with a rose in her hand)
Vir. Darling, I found it deep under the leaves—Oh! (Starts out softly. Poe writes on without looking up. At the door she turns and throws the rose towards him. It falls onto the table and upsets ink over papers)
Poe. (Leaping up) By every fiend in hell!
(Mrs. Clemm rushes in, followed by Zurie, Tat and Bony)
Mrs. C. My son, what is the matter?
Poe. See what that child has done!
Mrs. C. (With dignity) Your wife, Edgar.
Poe. My wife! Great God! O, Helen! Helen! (Rushes from the room, left rear)
Bony. I tol’ yo’ he wah mad! I done tol’ yo’ Mars Edgah gone mad! He look at me jes so! (Mimics)