To Michaelis, with a nervous, despairing gesture.
Speak to them! Explain to them! I am too weak.
There is a sound of excited voices outside, near at hand, then a sudden trample of footsteps at the entrance door. As Beeler goes hurriedly to the door it bursts open and a young woman with a baby in her arms crowds past him, and stands looking wildly about the room.
Beeler.
As he forces the others back.
You can't come in here, my friends! Stand back!
The woman gazes from one to another of the men. The old negro points at Michaelis. She advances to him, holding out the child.
Mother.
Don't let my baby die! For Christ's sake, don't let him die!
He examines the child's face, touches the mother's head tenderly, and signs to Rhoda to take them into the inner room.