LAURA.  Thank you.

JIM.  I’m mighty glad you side-stepped Brockton.  You’re young [LAURA sits on trunk.], and you’re pretty, and you’re sweet, and if you’ve got the right kind of a feller there ain’t no reason on earth why you shouldn’t jest forgit the whole business and see nothin’ but laughs and a good time comin’ to you, and the sun sort o’ shinin’ every twenty-four hours in the day.  You know the missis feels just as if she knew you, after I told her about them hard times we had at Farley’s boarding-house, so I feel that it’s paid me to come to New York [Picks up pin; puts it in lapel of coat.] even if I didn’t book anything but “East Lynne” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” [Goes over to her.] Now I’m goin’.  Don’t forget Gallipolis’s [LAURA helps him on with his coat.] the name, and sometimes the mail does get there.  I’d be awful glad if you wrote the missis a little note tellin’ us how you’re gettin’ along, and if you ever have to ride on the Kanawha and Michigan, just look out of the window when the train passes our town, because that is about the best you’ll get.

LAURA.  Why?

JIM.  They only stop there on signal.  And make up your mind that the Weston family is with you forty ways from the Jack day and night.  Good-bye, and God bless you.

LAURA.  Good-bye, Jim.  I’m so glad to know you’re happy, for it is good to be happy. [Kisses him.

JIM.  You bet. [Moves toward the door.  She follows him after they have shaken hands.] Never mind, I can get out all right. [Opens the door, and at the door:] Good-bye again.

LAURA. [Very softly.] Good-bye. [Exit JIM and closes the door.  She stands motionless until she hears the outer door slam.] I wonder why he doesn’t come. [She goes up and looks out of the window and turns down stage, crosses right, counting trunks; as she counts suitcase on table, bell rings; she crosses hurriedly to trunk centre.] Hurry, Annie, and see who that is.

ANNIE enters, crosses, opens door, exits, and opens the outer door.

ANNIE’S VOICE.  She’s waitin’ for yer, Mr. Madison.

LAURA hurries down to the centre of stage. JOHN enters, hat in hand and his overcoat on arm, followed by ANNIE. He stops just as he enters and looks at LAURA long and searchingly. LAURA instinctively feels that something has happened.  She shudders and remains firm. ANNIE crosses and exits.  Closes doors.

LAURA. [With a little effort. JOHN places hat and coat on trunk.] Aren’t you a little late, dear?

JOHN.  I—­I was detained down town a few minutes.  I think that we can carry out our plan all right.

LAURA. [After a pause.] Has anything happened?

JOHN.  I’ve made all the arrangements.  The men will be here in a few minutes for your trunks. [Crosses to coat; feels in pocket.] I’ve got the railroad tickets and everything else, but—­