revolver wrapped in tissue-paper.  Trunk is closed, and supposed to be locked.  Tossed across left arm of armchair are couple of violet cords.  Down stage centre is a large piece of wide tan ribbon.  The room has the general appearance of having been stripped of all personal belongings.  There are old magazines and tissue-paper all over the place.  A bearskin rug is thrown up against table in low window, the furniture is all on stage as used in Act III.  At rise LAURA is sitting on trunk with clock in hand. ANNIE is on floor behind table, fastening suit-case. LAURA is pale and perturbed.

ANNIE.  Ain’t yuh goin’ to let me come to yuh at all, Miss Laura?

LAURA.  I don’t know yet, Annie.  I don’t even know what the place is like that we’re going to.  Mr. Madison hasn’t said much.  There hasn’t been time.

ANNIE.  Why, Ah’ve done ma best for yuh, Miss Laura, yes, Ah have.  Ah jest been with yuh ev’ry moment of ma time, an’ [Places suit-case on table; crosses to centre.] Ah worked for yuh an’ Ah loved yuh, an’ Ah doan’ wan’ to be left ’ere all alone in dis town ’ere New York. [LAURA turns to door; ANNIE stoops, grabs up ribbon, hides it behind her back.] Ah ain’t the kind of cullud lady knows many people.  Can’t yuh take me along wid yuh, Miss Laura?—­yuh all been so good to me.

LAURA.  Why, I told you to [Crosses to door, looks out, returns disappointed.] stay here and get your things together [ANNIE hides ribbon in front of her waist.], and then Mr. Brockton will probably want you to do something.  Later, I think he’ll have you pack up, just as soon as he finds I’m gone.  I’ve got the address that you gave me.  I’ll let you know if you can come on.

ANNIE. [Suddenly.] Ain’t yuh goin’ to give me anything at all jes’ to remembuh yuh by?  Ah’ve been so honest—­

LAURA.  Honest?

ANNIE.  Honest, Ah have.

LAURA.  You’ve been about as honest as most coloured [Crosses to table; gets suit-case; crosses to sofa end puts suit-case on it.] girls are who work for women in the position that I am in.  You haven’t stolen enough to make me discharge you, but I’ve seen what you’ve taken. [Sits on end of sofa facing left.

ANNIE.  Now, Miss Laura.

LAURA.  Don’t try to fool me.  What you’ve got you’re welcome to, but for heaven’s sake don’t prate around here about loyalty and honesty.  I’m sick of it.

ANNIE.  Ain’t yuh goin’ to give me no recommendation?

LAURA. [Impatiently looking around the room.] What good would my recommendation do?  You can always go and get another position with people who’ve lived the way I’ve lived, and my recommendation to the other kind wouldn’t amount to much.

ANNIE. [Sits on trunk.] Ah can just see whah Ah’m goin’,—­back to dat boa’din’-house in 38th Street fo’ me. [Crying.

LAURA.  Now shut your noise.  I don’t want to hear any more.  I’ve given you twenty-five dollars for a present.  I think that’s enough.