Newsboy. Extra, extra, sir? (Dicey exits, and Newsboy, R., calling as he goes.) Extra! Panic in the city! Great bank failure! (Exit.)
Horace. Thank goodness I had that penny left! That’s the only money I have spent to-night for which I have received any value. I suppose this is a swindle; they generally are. Here it is, anyway. (In consternation as he reads.) What? What is this? The United Bank closed! My bank broke! I shall be ruined! The shares are only half paid up. The calls will utterly swamp me! Do you hear, I am ruined!
Messenger. Never mind, there are thousands of people who are not.
Horace. You scoundrel! I suspect this is your doing! It is awful! Awful!
Messenger. You can pity yourself. When anybody else was in trouble, it didn’t matter, did it? But for your own misfortunes you have quite a tender heart. Doubtless your many admiring friends will assist you.
Horace. They will be terribly distressed, I know.
Messenger. Let us observe their distress.
(Lights up in house and Dicey and Mrs. Clarence discovered together reading the paper.)
Dicey. I know Parker is a very large shareholder, if not the largest. He’ll be hit hard. Probably ruined.