[The boys go into the inner room. Bauer collapses again.
MRS. BAUER. [Looking at him strangely.] Fritzi—if you didn't——
BAUER. I can't prove nothing—and no one believes me. [A pause. She is silent under his gaze.] No one! [He waits for her to speak. She sits with averted face. He sinks into a dull misery. The expression in his eyes changes from beseeching to despair as her silence continues, and he cries out hoarsely.] No one! Even if you kill a cat—what's a cat against a man's life!
MRS. BAUER. [Tensely, her eyes fastened on his.] But you didn't kill it?
[A pause.
MRS. BAUER. [In a low, appealing voice.] Did you? Fritz? Did you?
[Bauer gets up slowly. He stands very still and stares at his wife.
KARL'S VOICE. Mama, Fritzi's fooling with papa's gun.
[Both children rush into the room.
KARL. You oughta lock it up.