Raidler: Something’s gone wrong!
Valentine: I let ’em take me to the dinin’ room; thought—cheer me up—Christmas carols—singin’—Jesus Christ (the corners of his mouth drawn down, his voice becomes a snarl of fury) Little Jesus—meek an’ mild—angels singin’—heavenly child. Hell and damnation! (they divine something serious, and gradually an idea dawns upon them; they stare in horror)
Jennings: My God, Jimmie!
Porter: What have they done?
Raidler: Speak up, man!
Valentine: Brought me the news—Christmas present—love and mercy.
Jennings: You don’t mean it?
Valentine: Yeah—guv’ner turned me down. No pardon—too dangerous.
Raidler: Who told you that?
Valentine: It’s in the papers. Somebody yelled it in the dinin’ room—broke up their Christmas carols. Men howlin’ like devils.