LAURA.  No.  She’ll come here when she arrives.

WILL.  Knows where you live?

LAURA.  She has the address.

WILL.  Ever been to New York before?

LAURA.  I think not.

WILL. [Passing her the time-table.] Well, that’s the best I can do for you.

LAURA.  Thank you. [Crosses and puts time-table in desk.

WILL. [Takes up the paper again.  LAURA looks at clock.] By George, this is funny.

LAURA.  What?

WILL.  Speak of the devil, you know.

LAURA.  Who?

WILL.  Your old friend Madison.

LAURA. [Utters a slight exclamation and makes an effort to control herself.] What—­what about him?

WILL.  He’s been in Chicago.

LAURA.  How do you know?

WILL.  Here’s a despatch about him.

LAURA. [Coming quickly over to him, looks over his shoulder.]
What—­where—­what’s it about?

WILL.  Well, I’m damned if he hasn’t done what he said he’d do—­see! [Holds the paper so that she can see.  LAURA takes paper.] He’s been in Chicago, and is on his way to New York.  He’s struck it rich in Nevada and is coming with a lot of money.  Queer, isn’t it? [LAURA puts paper on table.] Did you know anything about it? [Lights cigarette.

LAURA.  No, no; nothing at all. [Crosses to bureau.

WILL.  Lucky for him, eh?

LAURA.  Yes, yes; it’s very nice.

WILL.  Too bad he couldn’t get this a little sooner, eh, Laura?

LAURA.  Oh, I don’t know—­I don’t think it’s too bad.  What makes you ask?

WILL.  Oh, nothing.  I suppose he ought to be here to-day.  Are you going to see him if he looks you up?

LAURA.  No, no; I don’t want to see him.  You know that, don’t you, that I don’t want to see him?  What makes you ask these questions? [Crosses to sofa and sits.

WILL.  Just thought you might meet him, that’s all.  Don’t get sore about it.

LAURA.  I’m not.

She holds the telegram crumpled in one hand.  WILL lays down the paper, and regards LAURA curiously.  She sees the expression on his face and averts her head in order not to meet his eye.

LAURA.  What are you looking at me that way for?

WILL.  I wasn’t conscious that I was looking at you in any particular way—­why?

LAURA.  Oh, nothing.  I guess I’m nervous, too.

[Lies on sofa.

WILL.  I dare say you are. [A pause.

LAURA.  Yes, I am. [WILL crosses to LAURA.

WILL.  You know I don’t want to delve into a lot of past history at this time, but I’ve got to talk to you for a moment.

LAURA.  Why don’t you do it some other time?  I don’t want to be talked to now. [Rises and crosses a little to left.

WILL.  But I’ve got to do it just the same.