[In a whisper] Listen!  Someone—­out there!

     She darts past him and turns out the light.  There is a knock on
     the door.  They are now close together between door and window.

 [Whispering] Oh!  Who is it?

Keith. [Under his breath] You said no one comes but Larry.

Wanda.  Yes, and you have his keys.  Oh! if it is Larry!  I must open!

     Keith shrinks back against the wall.  Wanda goes to the door.

[Opening the door an inch] Yes?  Please?  Who?

A thin streak of light from a bull’s-eye lantern outside plays over the wall.  A Policeman’s voice says:  “All right, Miss.  Your outer door’s open.  You ought to keep it shut after dark, you know.”

Wanda.  Thank you, air.

     [The sound of retreating footsteps, of the outer door closing. 
     Wanda shuts the door.]

A policeman!

Keith. [Moving from the wall] Curse!  I must have left that door. [Suddenly-turning up the light] You told me they didn’t know you.

Wanda. [Sighing] I did not think they did, sir.  It is so long I was not out in the town; not since I had Larry.

     Keith gives her an intent look, then crosses to the fire.  He
     stands there a moment, looking down, then turns to the girl, who
     has crept back to the couch.

Keith. [Half to himself] After your life, who can believe—–?  Look here!  You drifted together and you’ll drift apart, you know.  Better for him to get away and make a clean cut of it.

Wanda. [Uttering a little moaning sound] Oh, sir!  May I not love, because I have been bad?  I was only sixteen when that man spoiled me.  If you knew——­

Keith.  I’m thinking of Larry.  With you, his danger is much greater.  There’s a good chance as things are going.  You may wreck it.  And for what?  Just a few months more of—­well—­you know.

Wanda. [Standing at the head of the couch and touching her eyes with her hands] Oh, sir!  Look!  It is true.  He is my life.  Don’t take him away from me.

Keith. [Moved and restless] You must know what Larry is.  He’ll never stick to you.

Wanda. [Simply] He will, sir.

Keith. [Energetically] The last man on earth to stick to anything!  But for the sake of a whim he’ll risk his life and the honour of all his family.  I know him.

Wanda.  No, no, you do not.  It is I who know him.

Keith.  Now, now!  At any moment they may find out your connection with that man.  So long as Larry goes on with you, he’s tied to this murder, don’t you see?

Wanda. [Coming close to him] But he love me.  Oh, sir! he love me!

Keith.  Larry has loved dozens of women.