And hear the angels sing.
CURTAIN.
ACT IV.
Scene: The drug-store, as in Acts I and II.
At rise: The line of convicts is filing past the counter, as at the opening of Act I, having their prescriptions put up by Porter. They are in a state of angry excitement, with difficulty repressed by the guards. Every man is moaning or snarling at every moment when the guards’ eyes are not upon him. The guards move here and there, threatening men with their clubs and commanding: “Silence! Shut up there! Hold your tongue!” But at some other place in the line men will shout, exclamations which are repeated again and again: “Jimmie Valentine is dead! You murdered Jimmie Valentine! Liars! Scoundrels! To hell with you! To hell with the state of Ohio! God damn this prison! You killed Jimmie Valentine! Murderers!” Porter fills the prescriptions, keeping tightly shut lips, but his hands are trembling, and it is evident that he also is deeply moved. Joe is making his usual pretense of cleaning up, but with difficulty, because of his excitement; he turns this way and that as he hears the cries, and his eyes are staring wide. Finally the last of the line is driven off, and the roaring dies away to a murmur.
Joe: Gawdamighty, Misteh Porteh, de men in his place is sho gone crazy! Dey is somethin goin to bust loose here tonight. (Porter makes no reply, but puts away his boxes and bottles) Oh, dat po feller, Jimmie Valentine! Didn’t even give him a chance to see his po ole mammy! Misteh Porteh, did you hear what dey say bout her? (silence from Porter) Dey say she’s stannin all day out by de gate in de snow. Dey won’t even let her in to see de body; dey ain’t tole her when dey gwine bury him. What you spose dey got agin dat po ole woman? (No answer) Ah knows how it is, Misteh Porteh, you doan trust yoself to open yo mouth bout his hyar business. Well, Ah seen times when I’d missed a lot o trouble if Ah’d kep my mouf shut. Maybe dis is one of em. Well, Ah go empty de trash-basket. (takes the basket and goes off left. Porter sits at his desk, staring in front of him)
Dr. Walters (enters right): Well, Porter?
Porter: Good evening, doctor.
Dr.: Having trouble here this evening?