Page:Hamilton play 1917.pdf/62

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50
HAMILTON

Forge. But that I mean to win, as we won at Yorktown.

[Zekiel opens room-door and also street-door, which he holds open.

Woman.
[Near room-door.] Thank you, sir. I'm sorry to have troubled you, but it's hard on the women. When the war broke out, we had to let our men go and proud we were of 'em—and when my husband came back disabled and useless, everybody took him by the hand and helped him. That was when the war was on. But now it's finished. . . . It's hard we can't get paid. Good-night, sir.

[Exit Woman, r.

Hamilton.
[Turning to Schuyler with a groan.] The disgrace of it! The men who won our freedom left to starve!

[Moving down stage and to fireplace impatiently.

Schuyler.
If Tom Jefferson and those damned Anti-Federalists would let your Assumption Bill go through, why, the soldiers would be paid.

Hamilton.
[Walking excitedly across to l.] Their opposition to this bill is holding the country in the grip of bankruptcy.

Schuyler.
While Jefferson and Monroe oppose it you'll never get it through.