Craig's Wife (1926)/Act 2

by George Kelly

Layout 2

ACT II

Ten Minutes Later

Mrs. Craig is standing at the window, forward, reading the newspaper. She stops reading, glances out the window, and then moves with a kind of controlled desperation to the bay window at the left, where she looks out again eagerly. Mrs. Harold comes in from the right.

Mrs. Harold

Is Mazie here, Mrs. Craig?

[Mrs. Craig turns nervously.

Mrs. Craig

No, she isn’t, Mrs. Harold; I’ve sent her on an errand; she’ll be back in a minute.

Mrs. Harold (turning to go out again)

I told her I thought I heard you calling her.

[Telephone bell rings.

Mrs. Craig

See who that is, Mrs. Harold, will you, please.

[Mrs. Harold comes back and picks up the telephone.

Mrs. Harold

Hello?—Hello?

Mrs. Craig

What’s the matter; don’t they answer ?

Mrs. Harold

No, Ma’m, they haven’t answered yet. Hello!

Mrs. Craig (turning to the window again)

Never mind it, Mrs. Harold; it’s probably a mistake.

Mrs. Harold (hanging up the receiver)

It does that sometimes when it’s a long-distance call.

[Mrs. Craig turns sharply.

Mrs. Craig

They didn’t say it was long distance, did they?

Mrs. Harold

No, Ma’m, they didn’t say anything; nobody answered at all.

Mrs. Craig

Well, if they want us they’ll ring again.

Mrs. Harold

Will you tell Mazie I want her when she comes in, Mrs. Craig, please?

Mrs. Craig

Yes, I’ll send her out to you as soon as she comes back. (Mrs. Harold goes out through the portières, and Mrs. Craig crosses over and down to the window, forward, and looks out. She sees Mazie hurrying back from the garage, and steps quickly up to the door at the left. Mazie can be seen running past the bay window. The screen door slams, and Mazie rushes in) Isn’t he over there, Mazie?

Mazie

No, Ma’m, he isn’t.

Mrs. Craig

Are you sure?

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m, I looked all around.

Mrs. Craig

Did you go round to the back?

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m, I looked everywhere. Old Mr. Foster was standin’ over there; I ast him if he’d seen anything of Mr. Craig, but he said he hadn’t.

Mrs. Craig

Is the garage locked?

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m, I tried the door.

Mrs. Craig

Well, could you see whether or not the car was in there?

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m, they’re both in there, the little one, too; I looked through the glass. (Mrs. Craig turns away to the right, with a troubled expression, and moves down towards the mirror, and Mazie moves towards the door at the right. Mrs. Craig glances out the window, forward) guess maybe he musta went away with that gentleman that was here.

Mrs. Craig

He probably did. You say that gentleman came in a car, Mazie?

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m, I think it was his; it was standin’ right in front of the house when I opened the door for him.

Mrs. Craig

All right, Mazie. Mrs. Harold wants you for something.

Mazie (going out)

Oh, does she?

[Mrs. Craig leans against the mantelpiece and thinks hard. The telephone bell rings. She turns and looks at the telephone; it rings again. Then she moves to answer it, Mazie comes in.

Mrs. Craig

I’ll answer it, Mazie.

Mazie

Oh, all right.

[She withdraws, and Mrs. Craig picks up the telephone.

Mrs. Craig (in a subdued voice)

Mazie.

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m?

Mrs. Craig

Come here for a minute. (Mazie appears between the portières) Go up and see that Miss Landreth’s door is closed.

Mazie (withdrawing)

Yes, Ma’m.

Mrs. Craig

Be very quiet about it, now, Mazie, and don’t disturb her if she’s asleep.

Mazie

All right.

[Telephone bell rings again.

Mrs. Craig

Hello?—Yes?—All right. (She glances up the stairs, and then waits) Hello?—Yes—(in a louder voice) Hello! Yes—this is Mrs. Craig at the telephone—Mr. Craig isn’t here just now, if you wanted Mr. Craig. Oh—why-a- Miss Landreth is lying down just now. Who is this speaking, please?—Oh, I see. Why—not a thing in the world, Mr. Fredericks, except that she’s very tired—We’ve only just now gotten in from Albany, and I suggested that she go upstairs and lie down for a while. Yes—Am I going to do what? No, I didn’t understand what you said, Mr. Fredericks. Why, yes, of course, I’d go back with her if anything unforeseen developed—otherwise she can go back herself. We’re simply waiting now to hear something from her mother’s physician up there.—Yes, of course I’m sure. Why, why should you put yourself to that trouble, Mr. Fredericks?—There wouldn’t be anything you could do when you get here.—Well, I’d much rather not call her, if you don’t mind, Mr. Fredericks; she’s lying down.—Well, can’t you tell me what it is you want to tell her—and I can give her the message? Well, probably it would, Mr. Fredericks;—it’s very nice of you to be so solicitous about her, but I don’t care to disturb her just now. I’m very sorry.

[She hangs up abruptly, and glances toward the head of the stairs. Mazie appears between the portières.

Mazie

The door was closed, Mrs. Craig.

Mrs. Craig

All right, Mazie. (Mazie withdraws, and Mrs. Craig moves forward, thoughtfully. There is a tap at the front door bell. Mazie turns and crosses to answer the door. Mrs. Craig is looking sharply toward the front door) See what those gentlemen want, Mazie.

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m.

Catelle (at the front door)

Mr. Craig in?

Mazie

No, sir, he’s not in just now; he went out about twenty minutes ago.

Catelle

What time do you expect him back?

Mazie

Why, I couldn’t say for certain; but I guess he’ll be back in time for dinner, about seven o’clock.

Catelle

Is his wife in?

Mazie

Yes, sir, she’s in.

Catelle

I’d like to speak to her for a minute if I could.

[Mrs. Craig, who has been standing very still, listening, vanishes through the portières, looking over her shoulder apprehensively towards the front door.

Mazie

Yes, sir. Will you just step in? (The screen door closes; and immediately Maxie hurries into the room) If you’ll just take a chair for a minute I’ll call her.

[Catelle wanders in, removing his hat, followed by Harry, who also removes his hat as he enters. Catelle moves down to the center table, puts his hat down, and takes a small leather notebook from his inside pocket; and Harry comes forward and sits in the chair beside the piano. There is a pause.

Harry

They didn’t get this place with a pound of tea.

Catelle

A lot of money. Phoenix Fire Insurance people. This lad’s old man used to be the president of the Company. Died about twelve years ago. I guess this gent’s in line for the old man’s job, if he lives.

[Mrs. Craig enters through the portières. Harry rises, and Catelle turns to her.

Mrs. Craig

Good evening.

Harry

Good evening.

Catelle

Good evening, Ma’m. I called to see Mr. Craig.

Mrs. Craig

Mr. Craig isn’t in just now, I’m sorry.

Catelle

Are you Mrs. Craig?

Mrs. Craig

Yes.

Catelle

Have you any idea what time Mr. Craig’ll be in?

Mrs. Craig

Why, I’m expecting him any minute; he was here less than a half-hour ago, when I went upstairs; so he must be right here in the neighborhood somewhere.

Catelle (consulting his watch)

I see.

Mrs. Craig

He’ll certainly be back for his dinner, at seven o’clock, if you’d care to call back.

Catelle

Well, I’ve got to be over the other side of town at seven o’clock,—so it may be that you could give me the information I am looking for, as well as Mr. Craig. Would you sit down for a minute?

Mrs. Craig

Yes, certainly.

[She turns to the chair in front of the mantelpiece and sits down. Harry resumes his chair beside the piano, and Catelle sits on the small bench immediately above the center table.

Catelle

I thought I’d like to speak to Mr. Craig first, but I don’t suppose it makes a great deal of difference.

Mrs. Craig

I thought he might be over at the garage—I wanted him myself a few minutes ago; but the maid says he isn’t over there.

Catelle

Well, I’ll tell you what it is I wanted to see him about, Mrs. Craig. I suppose you’ve seen in the evening paper about this unfortunate affair out here on Willows Avenue?

Mrs. Craig

You mean that shooting affair?

Catelle

Yes, at the Passmore home.

Mrs. Craig

Yes, isn’t that a dreadful thing!—I’ve just been reading it here.

Catelle

Yes, it’s a very sad affair.

Mrs. Craig

They’re both dead, aren’t they?

Catelle

Yes, they’re both dead.

Mrs. Craig

Isn’t that terrible. That’s what I wanted to see my husband for; I wanted to ask him if he knew that man.

Catelle

He probably did; they’re pretty well known people here in town.

Mrs. Craig

Yes, they must be, according to the paper. I haven’t had a chance to read it all yet, I’ve just gotten in from Albany.

Catelle

It’s a rather peculiar case.

Mrs. Craig

Was it a robbery or something ?

Catelle

No, there wasn’t anything taken. Of course, it could have been a foiled attempt at robbery, but that ’ud hardly explain certain other circumstances.

Mrs. Craig

Are you gentlemen working on the case?

Catelle

Yes, Ma’m, we’re from Police Headquarters. But, that doesn’t need to alarm you, Mrs. Craig; there’s no particular connection between that and our visit here.

Mrs. Craig

Well, I’m very glad to know that.

Catelle

No, this Passmore affair looks to me pretty clearly a matter of jealousy motive. Of course, there are one or two attendant circumstances, as there usually are in cases of this kind, but they don’t mean anything, as far as the actual shooting is concerned. There was a man seen leaving the house shortly after midnight in an automobile—One of the neighbors happened to see him; but it was too dark to establish any identification. Besides, that wouldn’t account for the death of Mrs. Passmore; because she didn’t get in until after three o’clock, and the man left there between twelve and one.

Mrs. Craig

I see.

Catelle

But, of course, as you understand, Mrs. Craig, it’s part of our business to follow up any little outside clue that we happen to get hold of that might throw some additional light on a case.

Mrs. Craig

Yes, of course.

Catelle

And that’s what I wanted to see Mr. Craig about.

Mrs. Craig

You mean you think Mr. Craig might be the man that was seen leaving there last night.

Catelle

No, that circumstance is really not being seriously considered; a house of that description might have had any number of visitors during the evening.

Mrs. Craig

That’s very true.

Catelle

But, we’ve had a report late this afternoon, Mrs. Craig, from the Lynnebrooke Telephone Exchange, where your light comes in, that there was a call made on your telephone here at five-twenty-seven this evening, asking for the address of the telephone number Levering three, one hundred; and that happens to be the number of the telephone at Mr. Passmore’s home.

Mrs. Craig

You mean that somebody called from here?

[She indicates the telephone.

Catelle

On this telephone, yes, Ma’m. Oakdale, six, two, three. That’s the number of your telephone here, isn’t it?

Mrs. Craig

Yes, that’s our number.

Catelle

That’s what I’ve got here.

Mrs. Craig

But I can’t imagine who it would be that called.

Catelle

The report says it was a woman’s voice.

Mrs. Craig

Who was it that reported it, do you know?

Catelle

I couldn’t tell you that, Mrs. Craig.

Mrs. Craig

I mean to say, would it be possible that the person who reported it could have made a mistake in the number?

Catelle

No, they’re usually pretty careful in an affair of this kind.

Mrs. Craig

And the call was made at five o’clock this evening, you say?

Catelle

Five-twenty-seven, my report says. The operator didn’t give the address, of course; it’s against the telephone company’s rules. And the party rang off.

Mrs. Craig

Well, that’s extraordinary. Although it might have been one of the servants—probably saw it in the evening paper and was curious to know where it was. (Rising) I’ll ask them.

Catelle

Well, I could understand that curiosity if the address wasn’t published; but it is; and the telephone number isn’t. And I was interested in finding out why any one ’ud have that particular ’phone number to-day and not know the address—when it’s been in all the newspapers since two o’clock this afternoon. And this call wasn’t made till after five.

Mrs. Craig

It does seem strange, doesn’t it?

Catelle

I haven’t been able to figure it out.

Mrs. Craig

But, I dare say there’s some very simple explanation of it.

Catelle

Has this telephone here been used at all, to your knowledge, Mrs. Craig, since five o’clock this afternoon?

Mrs. Craig

Why, I answered a call, a few minutes ago, from Northampton, Massachusetts.

Catelle

A long-distance call, you mean?

Mrs. Craig

Yes. It was a Mr. Fredericks, at Smith College there, calling my niece, to inquire about her mother. Her mother is ill in Albany.

Catelle

I see.

Mrs. Craig

That’s where we’ve just come from.

Catelle

You don’t know whether or not anybody from the outside has been in here since five o’clock?

Mrs. Craig

Not to my knowledge; except a neighbor from across the avenue there, Mrs. Frazier. She brought some roses over to my husband’s aunt. She was here when I got in; although I scarcely think she would have used the telephone. But, I’ll ask Miss Austen if you like.

Catelle

I wish you would, please, if you don’t mind.

Mrs. Craig (going to the stairway landing)

Not at all. She’s up in her room I believe.

Catelle

Would you mind asking her to step down here for a few minutes?

Mrs. Craig

Yes, certainly. (Calling) Miss Austen!—Miss Austen!

[There is the sound of a door opening somewhere upstairs.

Miss Austen (from upstairs)

Is some one calling me?

Mrs. Craig

Yes,—it’s me, Miss Austen. Would you mind coming down here for a minute or two, Miss Austen? I’d like to speak to you.

Miss Austen

All right, I’ll be down in a moment.

[Mrs. Craig turns to come down.

Mrs. Craig

If you will, please. She’ll be right down.

Catelle

Thank you very much.

Mrs. Craig (moving towards the portières)

I suppose I’d better call the servants too, hadn’t I? They’ll probably know something about it.

Catelle

Yes, I’d like to see them for a minute.

Mrs. Craig (going through the portières)

I’ll call them right away.

[Catelle looks at his watch and rises.

Catelle (crossing towards the portières)

What time have you got there, Harry ?

[He watches keenly through the portières.

Harry

Just seven.

Mazie (out at the right)

Yes, Ma’m?

Mrs. Craig

Would you come here for a minute?

Catelle

Do you mind if I use this ’phone here, Mrs, Craig?

Mrs. Craig

They’ll be right in.

[She enters.

Catelle

Do you mind if I use this ’phone here for a minute?

Mrs. Craig (moving forward)

Not at all, go right ahead. I didn’t hear what you said.

Catelle

I’ve got a call to make at seven o’clock.

Mrs. Craig

That’s quite all right.

[He stands holding the telephone, and Mrs. Craig listens keenly.

Catelle (into the telephone)

Spring 4000.—Right.

[There is a stillness: then the clock strikes seven, with a soft gong. Mazie enters, on the third gong.

Mazie

Did you want me, Mrs. Craig?

[Mrs. Craig motions to her to be silent; Mazie stands looking from one to the other in a state of positive bewilderment.

Catelle

Thielens? Catelle.—That so?—I got away from there before six. Period? Righto, Chuck. What are you trying to do, break Harry’s heart? (He gives a rather dry little laugh) All right, Chuck, I’ll be right over. (He hangs up and crosses to the table for his hat) We’d better get right out there, Harry. (Harry rises and moves up to the door) I won’t have to bother you any more right now, Mrs. Craig; there’s been a bit of additional information come in over at headquarters that’ll hold things up temporarily.

Mrs. Craig (moving towards the center table)

Well, do you want me to have Mr. Craig get in touch with you when he comes in?

Catelle

No, we’ll get in touch with him if it’s necessary.

Mrs. Craig

And you don’t want to question the rest of the people now, either?

[Harry goes out.

Catelle

Not just now, Mrs. Craig, thank you very much.

[He starts for the door.

Mrs. Craig

You’re welcome, I’m sure. All right, Mazie.

[Mazie withdraws reluctantly, her eyes fastened upon Catelle.

Catelle

I’m sorry to have had to trouble you.

Mrs. Craig (following him to the door)

That’s quite all right.

Catelle (turning at the door)

You can explain the circumstances to Mr. Craig, if you will.

Mrs. Craig

Yes, I will. He’ll probably know something about it.

Catelle (going out)

Very likely he will.

Mrs. Craig

And if he doesn’t, I’m sure one of the others will.

Catelle

All right, thank you very much, Mrs. Craig.

Mrs. Craig

You’re very welcome, I’m sure.

Catelle

Good evening.

Mrs. Craig

Good evening.

[The screen door closes, and Mrs. Craig turns slowly and lifts her closed hands in a quiet panic. Then she hurries forward and across to the window and watches the two detectives going down the street. Miss Austen comes down the stairs quietly, and stands on the landing, looking at her.

Miss Austen

Did you want to see me about something, Harriet?

[Mrs. Craig starts slightly and turns.

Mrs. Craig (going out through the portières)

No, not now, Miss Austen; it isn’t necessary. I’m sorry to have troubled you. (Miss Austen stands for a second looking after her; then she moves forward to the window, to see what it was that had so engaged Mrs. Craig’s attention. Then she moves up towards the telephone, glancing through the portières.

Miss Austen (into the telephone)

Will you give me Clearfield, six, two,—six, two?—Please? (She waits, glancing towards the portières and out the window) Hello? Is this the Mowers Express Office? Well, how early could I have some things taken away to-morrow morning? Six hundred and eighty Belmont Manor. Yes, just a square from the Park. Well, eight o’clock would be time enough. Miss Irene Austen. That’s right. Thank you. [She hangs up, and goes up the stairs. Mrs. Craig comes through the portières, glances towards the head of the stairs, and moves to the foot of the stairs to look up. Then she steps to the telephone table and settles everything precisely. Mazie appears between the portières.

Mrs. Craig

What is it, Mazie?

Mazie

Why, Mrs. Harold wants to know if she’ll serve the dinner now, Mrs. Craig.

Mrs. Craig (moving forward, thoughtfully)

Tell her not yet for a little while, till Mr. Craig gets here; I’m expecting him any minute.

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m.

[She goes out; end Mrs. Craig stands thinking hard for a second. The screen door closes sharply, and she wheels round with a rapid movement, crossing above the center table towards the door, Craig enters, removing his hat.

Mrs. Craig

Walter! Where have you been?

Craig

Out with Billy Birkmire. Why?

Mrs. Craig (indicating the outer door of the glass vestibule)

Shut that door,

[He turns and shuts it, and she moves along the foot of the stairway, glancing up and out through the portières.

Craig (coming into the room again)

What’s the matter?

[Mrs. Craig turns and crosses back towards him.

Mrs. Craig

My God, haven’t you seen the evening paper about Fergus Passmore and his wife!

Craig

Yes, I’ve seen it.

Mrs. Craig

Well, what about it, Walter?

Craig (putting his hat down on the piano)

I don’t know any more about it than you do, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig

My God, isn’t that a terrible thing! I’ve been nearly out of my mind for the last half-hour. I happened to see it in the paper there when I came downstairs, and I couldn’t find you anywhere.

Craig

I went out with Birkmire.

Mrs. Craig

Was that Birkmire that was here?

Craig

Yes, he wanted to see me about it.

Mrs. Craig

I didn’t even know whether you knew it or not: because you hadn’t said anything about it when you came in this evening.

Craig

I didn’t know it when I came in this evening.

Mrs. Craig (pointing at the paper on the table)

It’s on the very front page of the paper there.

Craig

I didn’t see the paper this evening till Birkmire showed it to me.

Mrs. Craig

Well, why didn’t you call me then, and not go rushing out of the house?

Craig

I didn’t want to upset you.

Mrs. Craig (moving forward and across in front of the center table)

Well, I certainly couldn’t have been any more upset than I have been. (Turning to him) Mazie said there’s been a man here, and that you’d gone away with him in an automobile—so, of course, I didn’t know what to think. I thought probably you’d been arrested or something.

[He looks at her sharply.

Craig

What would I be arrested for?

Mrs. Craig

Why, in connection with this thing, of course. (Taking a step towards him) The Police are looking for you; you know that, don’t you?

Craig

Who says the Police are looking for me?

Mrs. Craig

Two of them have just left here, not five minutes ago.

Craig

Policemen?

Mrs. Craig

They said they were from Police Headquarters; that’s all I know.

Craig

And what are they looking for me for?

Mrs. Craig

Well, now, why de you suppose they’re looking for you, Walter?

Craig

I don’t know.

Mrs. Craig

Doesn’t it say in the paper there that you were seen leaving Passmore’s at twelve o’clock last night?

Craig

It doesn’t say that I was seen leaving there.

Mrs. Craig

It says there was a man seen leaving there, and who else could it have been but you? You were out there, weren’t you?

Craig

Yes.

Mrs. Craig

Well, that’s enough, isn’t it?

[She turns away to her left, and crosses above the table towards the portières.

Craig

But they don’t know that.

Mrs. Craig

Oh, don’t be absurd, Walter,

Craig

Who saw me?

Mrs. Craig (coming back towards him)

Somebody always sees in a case of this kind.

Craig

Who could it have been?

Mrs. Craig

The butler saw you, didn’t he?

Craig

What if he did?—he didn’t know me from Adam. He says so there in the paper, doesn’t he?

Mrs. Craig

He could identify your picture, couldn’t he?

Craig

Who’s going to give him my picture?

Mrs. Craig

Don’t talk so loud.

[She steps back towards the portières, to assure herself that neither of the servants ts listening.

Craig (moving forward at the left of the center table)

Anyway, I don’t believe he’d recognize my picture if he did see it; he only came into the library for a couple of minutes to serve some drinks, and went right out again. And he didn’t get my name, because Fergus was sitting on the lawn when I got there and took me in himself. And the butler was in bed when I left there.

Mrs. Craig (coming forward at the right of the table)

Didn’t any of the other servants see you?

Craig

Not that I know of.

Mrs. Craig (coming very close to him and lowering her voice)

Didn’t you tell me that Billy Birkmire called you on the telephone out there last night ?

Craig

Yes, I talked to him out there.

Mrs. Craig

Well, didn’t the butler get your name then?

Craig

No; Fergus answered the ’phone himself, on the extension in the library.

Mrs. Craig

Well, those men have been here, anyway.

Craig

Well, what did they want?

Mrs. Craig

Haven’t I just told you what they wanted? They wanted to see you.

Craig

Did they say they knew it was I that was out there last night?

Mrs. Craig

I don’t remember what they said, exactly; I was too upset. But they wanted to know where you were, and, of course, I couldn’t tell them; because you were here when I left the room, and then you suddenly disappeared. (Turning away to the right) I was never placed in such a position in my life. I’m sure those men must have thought I was evading them. (Turning back to him again) But I didn’t know what to say to them—except that you’d probably taken a little walk around the neighborhood here; because I’d sent Mazie over to the garage to look for you as soon as I saw the paper, and she said both the cars were in there.

Craig

I went out in Birkmire’s car.

Mrs. Craig

Where did you go with him?

Craig

Over to Fergus’ house.

Mrs. Craig

And what in heaven’s name did you do a thing like that for, Walter!

Craig

Why not?

Mrs. Craig

Supposing you’d run into somebody out there?

Craig

And what if I did?

Mrs. Craig

Do you want your name to be dragged into this thing?

Craig

My name ’ll be dragged into it anyway, won’t it?

Mrs. Craig

Why will it?

Craig

You say those men have been here already.

Mrs. Craig

And what if they have? That doesn’t mean anything.

Craig

It means that they must have associated my name with it already, doesn’t it?

Mrs. Craig

No, it doesn’t mean anything of the kind; they were simply looking for information.

Craig

But it was to me they came for that information.

Mrs. Craig

Because you were a friend of Passmore’s.

Craig

Exactly. And they’ll very likely come back here again.

Mrs. Craig

But, you don’t have to go out looking for them, do you?

Craig (turning away and going up towards the door at the left)

You can’t be playing any game in a thing like this, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig (following him up)

No, and you don’t have to go rushing out to meet a lot of scandalous publicity, either. I should think your own common sense would show you what it would mean to have your name even mentioned in a thing of this kind. (Turning away and down towards the center table) Why, it ’ud be in every newspaper in the country.

Craig (coming forward at the right of the piano)

That wouldn’t bother me in the least.

Mrs. Craig (aghast)

It wouldn’t bother you!

Craig

Not the least bit—My conscience is clear.

Mrs. Craig (stepping to his side)

Oh, don’t be so absurdly romantic, Walter!

Craig

It isn’t a question of romanticism at all.

Mrs. Craig

No, and it isn’t a question of conscience, either. It’s simply a matter of discretion. If you’ve had nothing to do with this thing, what’s the use of becoming involved?

Craig

What do you mean, if I’ve had nothing to do with it?

Mrs. Craig (with sudden temper)

Oh, now don’t start picking me up on every word! (She turns away to the left and crosses above the center table towards the portières. Craig takes a cigarette from a case and closes the case with a snap. Mrs. Craig turns and sees that he is about to smoke) Now, don’t smoke in this room, Walter. (He throws the cigarette across the room to the fireplace. Mrs. Craig looks at it in astonishment, and then at him) Well, that’s a nice place to throw it, I must say.

[She goes down to the fireplace and picks it up.

Craig (sitting in the chair at the right of the piano)

Oh, what does it matter!

Mrs. Craig

Don’t you want it?

Craig

What good is it, if I can’t smoke it?

Mrs. Craig (crossing above the table towards the front door, holding the cigarette away from her, between her thumb and finger)

There are plenty of other places in the house to smoke, if you want to smoke.

Craig

I don’t know where they are.

Mrs. Craig (going out the door)

You can smoke in your den, can’t you?

Craig

If I shut the door. (He sits thinking, deeply. The screen door. slams, and Mrs. Craig comes in again, looking keenly towards the portières) Did those men say when they’d be back here?

Mrs. Craig

I don’t remember whether they did or not;—I suppose they did. They said they’d get in touch with you if it was necessary. (Coming forward to his side, and lowering her voice) But, if they do come back here, Walter, don’t give them any more information than I did.

Craig

Well, I certainly won’t deny that I was a friend of Fergus’.

Mrs. Craig

You don’t have to deny that you were a friend of his; but you certainly don’t have to submit to a lot of cross-examination by detectives, either, simply because you happened to be a friend of his. (She turns away and moves to the front of the center table) Let them go and cross-examine some of his other friends; you weren’t the only friend he had.

Craig

Why did you submit to their cross-examination?

Mrs. Craig (turning to him)

Because I didn’t know at the time to what extent they were justified in questioning me. I thought probably they had some information about your having been out at Passmore’s last night. And I was at my wit’s end, trying to keep from saying something that would imply an admission of it. I told them right away that I’d just gotten in from Albany, so I suppose they assumed that I didn’t know where you’d been last night.

Craig

How long did they stay here?

Mrs. Craig

About fifteen minutes, I imagine; but it seemed like a year.

Craig

What were they talking about all that time?

Mrs. Craig

About you, and Fergus Passmore, and where you were, and when you’d be back, and all kinds of questions.

[She goes to the piano and picks up his hat, settling the piano scarf.

Craig

Did they say they’d been to any other of Fergus’ friends?

Mrs. Craig

I don’t remember, they may have. They said something about him being very well known here socially, so they probably have.

[Craig thinks for a second, then rises abruptly and crosses below the center table and up to the telephone.

Craig

I think I’ll call Birkmire up and see if they’ve been to see him.

Mrs. Craig (with a panicky movement towards him)

Now, wait a minute, Walter! (She puts his hat on the table as she crosses above it) You’re not going to do anything of the kind.

Craig

Why not?

Mrs. Craig (taking the telephone from him)

Now, go away from this ’phone. (She draws him forward by the arm, away from the telephone) Let me tell you something.

Craig

What’s the matter?

Mrs. Craig

Don’t you realize that that telephone is being watched—and that they are probably watching Birkmire’s too?

Craig

Who is?

Mrs. Craig

Why, the Police, of course. Haven’t you any realization of your position in this affair?

Craig

I evidently haven’t the same realization that you have.

Mrs. Craig

Well, it’s time you did have.

Craig

It is?

Mrs. Craig

Yes, it is.

Craig

And what realization have you of my position?

Mrs. Craig

Never mind what realization I have; that doesn’t matter now. I simply know that the very first thing the Police do in a case of this kind is to watch the telephone calls to and from the house.

Craig

Not from this house.

Mrs. Craig

I mean from Fergus’ house.

Craig

I wasn’t going to call Fergus’ house.

Mrs. Craig

You were going to call Billy Birkmire, weren’t you?

Craig

At his own house, yes.

Mrs. Craig

Well, what difference does it make, Walter. Do you think those detectives can’t put two and two together? Birkmire called you last night at Passmore’s, didn’t he?

Craig

Yes.

Mrs. Craig

And there’s undoubtedly a record of the call.

Craig

That wouldn’t involve my name, would it?

Mrs. Craig

It would if the operator listened in.

Craig

And do you think she has nothing to do but listen in on calls?

Mrs. Craig

She listened in on this one, didn’t she?

Craig

On which one?

Mrs. Craig

What? (She steps back from him suddenly, and touches her hair, in an effort to appear casual) What did you say?

Craig

Which call do you say the operator listened in on?

Mrs. Craig

I don’t know which one she listened in on. But some one must have listened in on something or those men wouldn’t have come here, would they?

Craig

Did they say the operator had reported on a call from here?

Mrs. Craig

I don’t remember what they said, distinctly. One of them kept rambling something about a telephone call, but I assumed it was the one that Birkmire made to you last night out at Fergus’.

Craig

Didn’t they say when the call was made?

Mrs. Craig

What does it matter when it was made, Walter?

Craig

It matters a lot.

Mrs. Craig

The fact remains, doesn’t it, that that telephone is undoubtedly being watched now.

Craig (whirling round and picking up the telephone again)

Well, I want to know why it’s being watched.

Mrs. Craig (springing to his side and seizing the telephone)

Now, listen to me, Walter Craig; you must not use that telephone. (She looks him straight in the eyes, then moves back several steps and looks at him defiantly) I will not allow you to drag my name into a notorious scandal.

Craig (whipping the receiver off and putting it to his ear)

I’ve got to find out where I’m at in this thing!

Mrs. Craig (raising her voice threateningly)

If you speak over that telephone I’ll leave this house! (He takes the receiver from his ear and looks at her steadily. There is a pause) And you know what construction ’ud be put upon that, under the circumstances.

[He slowly hangs up and sets the telephone back onto the little table, holding her eyes steadily. Then he moves slowly towards her.

Craig

What do you mean, you’ll leave this house?

Mrs. Craig (stonily)

I mean exactly what I said. Do you think I could stay in this neighborhood twenty-four hours after my name had been associated with a thing of this kind?

Craig

And haven’t you any appreciation of the necessity of my knowing what’s happening in this case?

Mrs. Craig

I have no appreciation of any necessity except the necessity of keeping still.

Craig

But supposing something developed that would reveal absolutely the fact that I had been out there last night —

Mrs. Craig

What can develop, if you keep still?

Craig

But, supposing something did? Wouldn’t it be very much better for me to have been open and aboveboard from the beginning, instead of having played a waiting game, and probably create an attitude of suspicion where there are no grounds for any?

Mrs. Craig

There are grounds for suspicion, Walter; don’t evade the issue.

Craig

What are they?

Mrs. Craig

The fact that you were out there last night.

Craig

That doesn’t mean a thing.

Mrs. Craig

Evidently not, to you.

Craig

Does it to you?

Mrs. Craig

What does it matter what it means to me? It isn’t for me to determine the degree of your guilt or innocence. I’m not interested.

Craig

You’re not interested!

Mrs. Craig

I’m interested only in the impression on the popular mind,—and the respect of the community we’ve got to live in.

Craig

You mean you’d rather know I was involved in this thing and keep the respect of the community, than know I was a victim of circumstances, and lose it?

[Mrs. Harold appears between the portières. Mrs. Craig sees her over Craig’s shoulder, and crosses quickly below him.

Mrs. Craig

What is it, Mrs. Harold?

Mrs. Harold

I’m sorry to bother you, Mrs. Craig, but I’m afraid the dinner’ll be spoiled.

Mrs. Craig (going down to the mirror)

All right, Mrs. Harold, put it up; I’ll be right out.

[Craig moves forward to the upper right-hand corner of the center table.

Mrs. Harold (withdrawing)

All right.

Craig

Mrs. Harold.

Mrs. Harold (stopping)

Yes, sir?

[She comes back a few steps towards him.

Craig

Mrs. Harold, do you know if anybody has called that number that I gave you last night here, to-day, on this telephone?

Mrs. Harold

You mean the number you gave me to have Mr. Birkmire call you at?

Craig

Yes, Levering three one hundred.

Mrs. Harold

No, sir, I don’t know that anybody has. I only gave it to Mr. Birkmire over the telephone last night when he called.

Craig

You haven’t had occasion to call that number to-day on this telephone, have you, Mrs. Harold?

Mrs. Harold

No, sir, I haven’t, Mr. Craig.

Craig

All right, Mrs. Harold, thanks very much.

[She starts to go, then stops and turns again.

Mrs. Harold

I never even thought about it to-day until Mrs. Craig asked me for it when she came in this evening.

[There is a pause. Craig shifts his eyes to his wife, who raises her arm slowly and touches her hair before the mirror.

Craig

All right, Mrs. Harold, thank you very much. (Mrs. Harold withdraws, and Craig moves up slowly towards the portières and watches her out of hearing distance. Then he turns and looks at his wife. She stands very still. He moves a step or two slowly towards her) It was you that made that call. (She turns and looks at him, with a touch of defiance) What were you doing, checking up on me?

Mrs. Craig (starting up towards the portières)

Don’t flatter yourself, Walter.

Craig

That’s what you were doing, wasn’t it?

Mrs. Craig

Don’t flatter yourself. The man hasn’t been born yet that I’d bother checking up on.

Craig

Why didn’t you tell the truth?

Mrs. Craig (whirling upon him)

Because I anticipated an attack of your romantic conscience.

Craig

You were playing safe; that was it, wasn’t it?

Mrs. Craig

Exactly!

Craig

And at my expense!

Mrs. Craig

I knew the necessity of it with you!

Craig (turning away to the left, crossing in front of the center table)

God!

Mrs. Craig (following him up)

I knew if I told you I made that call, you’d be on the telephone in five minutes telling the Police.

Craig (turning sharply)

I intended doing that anyway.

Mrs. Craig

You silly fool!

Craig

That’s where I went this evening, with Birkmire, when I left here—to Police Headquarters.

Mrs. Craig (aghast)

Oh!

Craig

And the only reason I didn’t tell them then was that the man in charge of the case had gone to his dinner and wouldn’t be back till eight o’clock. But he’ll be told then!

[He swings up to the front door.

Mrs. Craig (leaning across the center table, and sprang threateningly)

Well, if you do, you’ll explain my leaving you, too.

Craig

That wouldn’t worry me in the least, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig

Well, it might worry them.

[He turns sharply and looks at her, dismayed.

Craig (coming back to the table)

Listen to me, Harriet. Why weren’t you at least honest with me in this thing, and not try to make it appear that I was responsible for the visit of those detectives?

Mrs. Craig

Because I knew exactly what you’d do if I told you. And that would mean an explanation of why I had called up; and the next thing would be an admission of the fact that you are the man the Police are looking for.

Craig

But it’s you those detectives are looking for.

Mrs. Craig

Oh, you needn’t try to turn it on to me! They wouldn’t be looking for either of us if you’d stayed at home last night, instead of being out card-playing with a lot of irregular people.

[She turns down to the mirror.

Craig

What was there irregular about Fergus Passmore?

Mrs. Craig (turning to him, in a wrath)

There must have been some irregularity, or this thing wouldn’t have happened. Everybody that knew Fergus Passmore knew that he was insanely jealous of his wife; and then you have to go out visiting them. (She crosses below the table to the piano) I felt in my bones up there in Albany that something ’ud happen while I was away; that was the reason I didn’t stay up there any longer than I absolutely had to. I knew as soon as ever my back was turned you’d be out with your friends again.

[He looks at her, under his brows; and there is a pause.

Craig

And what has your back being turned got to do with my visiting my friends?

Mrs. Craig

Never mind what it has to do with it; only you wouldn’t have been visiting them if I’d been here.

Craig

How would you have stopped me?

Mrs. Craig

I’d have stopped you all right, one way or another.

Craig

What would you have done—locked the door on me?

Mrs. Craig

It wouldn’t have been necessary to lock the door on you. (Turning and looking at him directly) You haven’t been visiting them in the last eighteen months, have you?

Craig

No, I haven’t.

Mrs. Craig

And they haven’t been visiting you, either?

Craig

No, they haven’t.

Mrs. Craig (turning away)

Well—

Craig (after a slight pause)

You mean you’ve kept them out of here?

Mrs. Craig (turning to him again and looking him straight in the eyes)

Well, if I did the end justified the means; you at least haven’t been in the shadow of the law in the last eighteen months.

[He holds her eye for a second, then moves forward to the front of the table.

Craig

You’re certainly running true to form, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig

Well, I’m glad of it if I am.

Craig

My aunt said here a while ago that you’d driven all my friends away from this house.

Mrs. Craig (with level significance)

There are ways of getting rid of people without driving them away from the house.

[Craig makes a little sound of bitter amusement.

Craig

And I thought she was imagining things at your expense.

Mrs. Craig

Well, you see she probably had better perception than you’d given her credit for.

[He turns and looks at her darkly.

Craig

Probably she had; for she perceived something else, Harriet, that may be equally true.

Mrs. Craig

Is that so?

Craig

She said you were trying to get rid of me too—(She darts a look at him) without actually driving me away from the house. (She laughs derisively, and moves across towards the portières. He follows her up, raising his voice) And I believe that’s true, too.

Mrs. Craig

Keep your voice down! Do you want everybody in the house to hear you?

Craig

You’ve admitted it, by your attitude in this affair this evening.

Mrs. Craig (looking at him, and moving forward to the mantelpiece)

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Craig (coming forward and leaning on the table)

Very well, you know what I’m talking about. And you knew what my aunt was going to talk about too, here a while ago; that’s the reason you left the room before she started.

Mrs. Craig

I’m sorry I didn’t stay here now.

Craig

No danger of your staying here, Harriet; you couldn’t bear it. (She laughs, and he moves forward to the left) My God, how perfectly she knows you, Harriet! She couldn’t have read you any better if you’d written it out for her, And I felt rather sorry listening to her, thinking she was probably getting a little old and suspicious; particularly when she said you had excluded my friends.

Mrs. Craig

Do you think I wanted my house turned into a tavern?

Craig

My friends never turned my mother’s house into a tavern.

Mrs. Craig

They didn’t play poker at your mother’s house till all hours of the morning.

Craig

Every Thursday night for ten years; till two o’clock, if they felt like it.

Mrs. Craig

Well, evidently, your mother and I had very different ideas of a house.

Craig

Very different indeed, Harriet: there was more actual home in one room of my mother’s house than there’d be in all of this if we lived in it a thousand years.

Mrs. Craig

Why didn’t you stay in it,—if you found it so attractive?

Craig

Now you’re talking, Harriet; why didn’t I do just that. (He turns away to the left, then turns suddenly back) But, don’t make any mistake that I think you didn’t want my friends here simply because they played cards; you wouldn’t have wanted them if they’d come here to hold prayer meetings. You didn’t want them because, as my aunt says, their visits implied an importance to me that was at variance with your little campaign—the campaign that was to reduce me to one of those wife-ridden sheep that’s afraid to buy a necktie for fear his wife might not approve of it.

[He goes up towards the front door.

Mrs. Craig

Oh, don’t try to make yourself out a martyr; you’ve had your share of this bargain.

[He turns suddenly and looks at her, then comes forward again to the front of the table.

Craig

I never regarded this thing as a bargain.

Mrs. Craig

Did you expect me to go into a thing as important as marriage with my eyes shut?

Craig

I wanted you to go into it honestly, as I went into it—fifty-fifty—And you’ve been playing safe right from the start.

[He turns away towards the piano.

Mrs. Craig

I’ve been doing nothing of the kind.

Craig

Don’t tell me what you’ve been doing; I see your game as clearly as my aunt sees it. (He turns and comes back towards her) You’ve been exploiting me, consistently, in your shifty little business of personal safety. And you’d throw me right now to the suspicion of implication in this double murder—to preserve that safety.

[He goes back towards the piano again.

Mrs. Craig (almost crying)

I’ve been trying toe preserve my home.

Craig

That’s all I’ve heard from you since the day I married you.

Mrs. Craig

Well, what else has a woman like me but her home?

Craig (turning to her)

Hasn’t she her husband?

Mrs. Craig

She could lose her husband, couldn’t she?—As many another woman has.

Craig

Couldn’t she lose her home too?

Mrs. Craig

She couldn’t if she knew how to secure it.

Craig (raising his finger solemnly)

That’s the point in a nutshell, Harriet; if she knew how to fix it for herself.

[He turns away and rests his hands on the piano.

Mrs. Craig

Well, what if I have fixed things for myself? You haven’t lost anything by it, have you? If I’ve fixed them for myself I’ve fixed them for you too. Your home is here. And maybe if I hadn’t played the game so consistently it wouldn’t be here. And I wouldn’t be the first woman that’s lost her home, and her husband too, through letting the control of them get out of her hands. (She moves up towards the back of the room, in a crying temper) I saw what happened to my own mother, and I made up my mind it ’ud never happen to me. (She turns and comes forward again) She was one of those “I will follow thee, my husband” women—that believed everything my father told her; and all the time he was mortgaging her home over her head for another woman. And when she found it out, she did the only thing that women like her can do, and that was to die of a broken heart—within six months; and leave the door open for the other woman to come in as stepmother over Estelle and me. (She turns to the mantelpiece) And then get rid of us both as soon as Estelle was marriageable. (Turning to him suddenly) But the house was never mortgaged over her head, I’ll promise you that; for she saw to it that it was put in her name before ever she took him; and she kept it there, too, right to the finish.

[She sweeps up towards the back of the room again.

Craig

Why didn’t you ask me to put this house in your name?

Mrs. Craig (whirling upon him)

Because I didn’t want it in my name!

Craig

It would have been more honest.

Mrs. Craig (coming forward to the right end of the table)

I haven’t done anything that wasn’t honest!

Craig

How would you know, Harriet?

Mrs. Craig

I’ve simply tried to be practical; but, with your usual romanticism, you want to make me appear like a criminal for it.

Craig

I’m not reproaching you at all.

Mrs. Craig

Well, you shouldn’t reproach me; for there’s nothing to reproach me about.

Craig

You simply married the wrong man, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig (witheringly)

I married a romantic fool! (He looks at her narrowly, and she holds his eye) That’s what I married; (she turns away and goes up to the portières to look out) and I’m seeing it more every day I live.

[There is a pause. Then Craig breaks into a hard little laugh.

Craig

How well we understand each other now, Harriet.

Mrs. Craig (coming forward to the mantelpiece again)

Well, I understand you, anyway, whether you understand me or not. (Speaking directly to him) And you ought to thank your God that I do, for I don’t know what ’ud become of you if I didn’t.

[She turns to the mantelpiece, and suddenly sees the card that Mazie left back of the center ornament. She picks up the little envelope deftly, takes the card out and reads it. Craig regards her icily; and after a pause, he speaks—in a level, rather dangerous tone.

Craig

The brass of you—and the presumption.

[She looks at him.

Mrs. Craig

What?

Craig

I’m just wondering how you get that way.

Mrs. Craig

How I get what way?

Craig

So brazenly presumptuous, as to say such a thing to me.

Mrs. Craig

What have I said? I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Craig (moving slowly away a step or two from the piano)

What have you ever done, or a million others like you, that would warrant the assumption of such superiority over the men you’re married to?

Mrs. Craig

Nobody’s assuming any superiority.

Craig

Doesn’t your remark admit it?

Mrs. Craig (turning and moving up to the portières)

Don’t get yourself into a temper.

Craig

That you don’t know what ’ud become of me only that you understand me.

Mrs. Craig (glancing through the portières)

Neither I do.

Craig

The presumption of you.

Mrs. Craig

What are you standing there for, Mazie?

Mazie and Craig (speaking together)

Mazie: Why, Mrs. Harold sent me in to see if you were coming in to dinner.

Craig: That you should set yourself about to control the very destiny of a man,—

Mrs. Craig

Yes, I’m coming right away.

Mrs. Craig and Craig (speaking together)

Mrs. Craig: But I want to see you for a minute first, Mazie.

Craig: As though I were some mental incompetent.

Mazie

Yes, Ma’m.

Mrs. Craig (turning and going towards Craig, lowering her voice, and trying to silence him with a gesture)

Don’t make a show of yourself in front of Mazie. (Mazie comes through the portières, and Mrs. Craig turns to her) Mazie, what is this card here?

Mazie

Why, it’s the Society card, Mrs. Craig, of the Mutual Benevolent.

Mrs. Craig

And what is it doing here?

Mazie

Why, Christine sent it down about an hour ago, with the tailor’s little boy, to know if I’d pay her dues for her.

Mrs. Craig

And couldn’t you find any place for it but back of that ornament?

Mazie

Why, I was—

Mrs. Craig

After all the times I’ve told you never to put anything on that mantelpiece.

Mazie

Yes, you have told me, Mrs. Craig, but when I came in—

Mrs. Craig

Then, why do you do it? Must I keep telling you the same thing indefinitely? You know perfectly well I never allow anybody even to dust that mantelpiece but myself. I even bought a special little brush for those ornaments, because I wouldn’t trust them to anybody else. And yet the minute you get my back turned you must use them as a catchall for everything m the house.

Mazie

Mrs. Harold asked me something when I came in, and—

Mrs. Craig

I am not interested in what anybody asked you; that does not excuse you. (Mazie takes a handkerchief from the pocket of her apron and touches it to her eyes) I have told you over and over again never to put anything back of those ornaments; and you deliberately disobey me. You simply will not do as you are told. And when a girl will not do as she is told, the best thing for her to do is to go some place where she will be made to do it. So I want you to get your things together to-night and leave this house to-morrow morning. (Mazie looks at her, then turns away to leave the room) Here’s the card. And find some place for it besides back of an ornament. (Mazie takes the card and withdraws) And tell Mrs. Harold to put up the dinner, I’ll be down in two minutes; (She starts for the stairs) I’m going up to see what my niece wants for her dinner. (She goes up the stairs haughtily. Halfway up she turns, but without stopping, and addresses Craig coldly) You’d better go out there and get your dinner, before it’s cold.

[She disappears at the head of the stairs, and Craig stands looking at the floor. His eyes wander up the stairs after her, and then down the right side of the room. They settle upon the ornament on the mantelpiece, and he looks at it hard; then crosses slowly and picks it up. He holds a in his hand, looking at it curiously: then suddenly lifts it in the air and smashes it on the bricks in front of the mantelpiece. He stands looking at the shattered pieces for a moment; then takes a cigarette from his case and strolls back across the room towards the piano. He taps the cigarette on the case, then takes out a match and lights it, tossing the burned match on to the floor. Then he leans against the piano and smokes, thoughtfully. Mrs. Harold hurries in through the portières.

Mrs. Harold

Did something get broke in here, Mr. Craig? (He indicates the shattered ornament with a nod, and Mrs. Harold looks towards the mantelpiece. She sees the pieces of the shattered ornament, and raising her hands and eyes to Heaven, takes a step or two towards them) Glory be to God this day and this night, how did that happen, Mr. Craig! Did it fall off the mantelpiece?

Craig (without moving)

No, I smashed it, Mrs. Harold.

Mrs. Harold (puzzled)

On purpose, do you mean, Mr. Craig?

Craig

Yes.—I didn’t like it.

Mrs. Harold

I wish you’d tell Mrs. Craig it was you that done it, Mr. Craig; if she sees it she might think it was one of us that broke it.

Craig

I’ll tell her all about it, Mrs. Harold; don’t you worry about that.

[He straightens up and starts across slowly towards the big chair in front of the mantelpiece, and Mrs. Harold moves a step or two towards the portières.

Mrs. Harold (turning to him)

Will I get the dustpan and sweep that up, Mr. Craig?

Craig

No, don’t bother about it now, Mrs. Harold; go out and get your dinner.

[She moves towards the portières, then stops again.

Mrs. Harold

Ain’t you comin’ to your dinner, Mr. Craig?

Crate (sitting down)

No, I don’t want any dinner to-night, Mrs. Harold.

Mrs. Harold

Don’t you want nothing at all?

Craig

Not a thing.

[She withdraws; and he sits smoking and thinking.

Mrs. Craig (from the head of the stairs)

Are you down there, Walter?

Craig

Yes.

Mrs. Craig

Listen—did something fall down there a minute ago?

Craig

No.

Mrs. Craig

Are you sure?

Craig

Yes, I’m sure.

Mrs. Craig

Well, it sounded up here as though the house fell down.

Craig (after a slight pause)

Maybe it did, Harriet—I’m just sitting here wondering.

[He sits smoking. His gaze wanders up, and out, and away off.

THE CURTAIN DESCENDS SLOWLY