IE _stands in thought for a moment, then she
places a chair_ C. _facing up stage_. WILLIAM _runs on again and hands
her a glove_.)
Did you get it?
WILLIAM (L.C.). What are you going to do?
ROSALIE (L.C.). Trick them. Lie to them. It is for Nelly. Do you blame me?
WILLIAM. What can I do to help?
ROSALIE. You are a man after my own 'eart. I am going to do something
to put the fear of God into the 'eart of that murderer. Do not pay any
attention to me. Watch _them_. Do not look at me, do not take your
eyes off them. I am looking for one of them to do something that will
show us the way. It is our only chance.
(HELEN _runs in_ L.)
HELEN. They're coming.
ROSALIE. Leave the door open so we can 'ear them. (HELEN _does so and
returns to her mother, standing_ L. _of_ ROSALIE.) Child, kiss me for
luck. (_They kiss._) It will do no 'arm to kiss him, too. (_They kiss._)
Now, my boy, can you lie?
WILLIAM. _Can I!_
ROSALIE (C.). I am going into a trance. When they do come into the room
you will tell them that I asked for Mr. Wales' glove and the minute I
'ave it in my hand I went off like they see me. Tell them you thought
there might be some reason for it. And then leave the rest to me. (_She
sits in the chair_ C., _facing the back of the stage_.)
WILLIAM. I understand.
ROSALIE. You stand here at the back of me. I wish for them all to be
in front of me. (WILLIAM _crosses back of_ ROSALIE _to_ R. _side of_
ROSALIE'S _chair_. HELEN _crosses_ R. _of_ ROSALIE _above her_.) Nelly,
stand close by me. (_To_ WILLIAM.) Go farther back. (HELEN _moves to_ R.
_of_ ROSALIE.) That's right. Now don't you move from there. This will be
the realest trance and the grandest fake. When I come out, make them go
away, tell them you are afraid and that it will kill me to see anyone.
(_She suddenly stiffens in her chair. Lying rigid with her head thrown
back on the head-rest, and the hand in which she is holding_ WALES'
_glove stretched out straight in front of her. Enter down_ L., CROSBY,
MISS EASTWOOD, STANDISH, TRENT, MRS. CROSBY, MRS. TRENT, MISS ERSKINE
_and_ MISS STANDISH.)
CROSBY (_crossing to up_ L.C.). What is it, Billy?
(MISS EASTWOOD _goes to the_ L. _side of_ ROSALIE'S _chair_, MRS. TRENT
_and_ MRS. CROSBY L. _of chesterfield_ C.; TRENT, MISS ERSKINE _and_
STANDISH _lower_ L. _end of chesterfield_.)
STANDISH. What's happened?
WILLIAM (R. _side of_ ROSALIE'S _chair_). I don't know, exactly. We were
talking
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