Horace. Good night, Bella. (She exits R.) Then there was an Extra in reality. That was not all dream. There it is. What made me dream of the bank smash if nothing had been said about it? I dreamt of Mars. I had been reading of Mars. At this moment, great heavens, I may be, in very fact, a ruined man! (Seizes paper with trembling hands and finds the place. Reads.) Not a word! (Wipes his forehead.) Not a word, but there might have been! And why should this house not be burning as well as the one that is? What would I do? Cut my throat! An arrant coward’s refuge, after all. Ah, from the beggar’s point of view, wealth seemed so flinty hearted, while charity was natural and easy to the poor. (Fire engine.) Evidently no false alarm this time. Somebody sick with anxiety and dread to-night. Heaven help them, whoever they are! What a rap Marsy would give me for that speech. He’d say, “Help them yourself. Don’t overtax Heaven.” Pshaw, I’d only be in the way. We have an excellent fire department. Best in the world. And there are so many need helping. How many lines of this paper tell of suffering, and how much may we read between the lines! (Skims over paper.) “Wanted, plain sewing, to do at home.” “Young man wants work. Will do anything honest.” Honest? He is particular for these days. And I swore to Marsy that I wouldn’t take back my money except to share it with others. He might have made favorable terms with me just then. (Sees ring on table.) Minnie’s ring. My trying to bully her. It was the act of a cur! I’ll tell her so. I’ll—(Fire engine passes.) Another! It must be serious. (Looks through curtains of window C.) What a sheet of flame! It must be in the next street. It may reach here. (Looks intently.) No, the wind’s the other way. (Relieved.) That tenement house, I’ll be bound! Poor people, what will they do this bitter night if they are burnt out? I don’t know what I could do if I really wanted to. I think I’ll put on my coat and hat and go and see. Don’t suppose I’ll do much harm looking on. (Fire-engine bell again. He looks out again.) Ladder escape. (Dresses a little quicker now.) I might take an extra coat for some one. (Goes to closet containing several overcoats and takes one. Hesitates and then puts another over his arm. Is going R. when another engine passes.) I can’t stand it! (Snatches the last overcoat. Leaves the closet door open and rushes out with coats over his arm R.)
(Considerable pause, when front door bell rings. Pause, and then knock heard. Further pause, and knock and bell heard. Voices heard. After further pause, vigorous knocking and ringing heard, and voices in expostulation. Knocking and ringing suddenly stop as door is opened, and then enter Aunt, followed by Minnie and Dicey, and last by Bella, in hastily thrown on gown. They gather round the fire.)
Aunt. Really, Bella, I don’t understand you! We have been fully ten minutes battering at that door, and getting our deaths. I declare my teeth are chattering.
Minnie. So is your tongue, Auntie.
Aunt. Don’t be disrespectful to your elders.
Minnie. Sorry, Auntie. Only a joke.
Aunt. And quite without a point.
Minnie. (Aside) It seemed to prick, though.
Bella. If you please, Madam, Mr. Parker told me to go to bed.
Aunt. Very considerate of him as regards you.