Raidler: Give us another, nearer home.

Porter: Gentlemen: to one who celebrates his Christmas lying on a hospital cot, fearing every moment the last hemorrhage that will carry him off. To Jimmie Valentine, and his promised pardon!

All (at first taken aback; then, soberly): Jimmie Valentine.

Jennings: And his pardon! (a pause) Boys, if he don’t get that pardon, there’s going to be hell to pay in this place.

Raidler: Right you are, Al!

Jennings: If there’s anything the men have been more stirred up about, it was before I came in here.

Raidler (hitting the table): Well, by Jesus, he earned that pardon!

Porter: Surely he’s going to get it!

Joe: Sho, boss, he got to get it!

Jennings: If they’re going to give it, why don’t they? Are they waiting for him to be dead?