SCENE II]
MRS. HOLROYD
21
- [He kneels down and begins to creep to the sofa. With a great bound, Mrs. Holroyd flies to the door and flings it open. Then she rushes back to the couch.
Clara
- There he goes!
Holroyd (simultaneously)
- Hi!— Ussza! (He flings the bottle of stout out of the door)
Laura (piteously)
- Shut the door, do.
- [Holroyd rises, dusting his trousers’ knees, and closes the door. Laura heavily descends and drops in the chair.
Clara
- Here, come an’ help us down, Charlie. Look at her; she ’s going off. (Though Laura is still purple red, she sinks back in the chair. Holroyd goes to the table. Clara places her hands on his shoulders and jumps lightly down. Then she pushes Holroyd with her elbow) Look sharp, get a glass of water.
- [She unfastens Laura’s collar and pulls off the paper bonnet. Mrs. Holroyd sits up, straightens her clothing, and tries to look cold and contemptuous. Holroyd brings a cup of water. Clara sprinkles her friend’s face. Laura sighs and sighs again very deeply, then draws herself up painfully.
Clara (tenderly)
- Do you feel any better—shall you have a drink of water? (Laura mournfully shakes her head; Clara turns sharply to Holroyd) She ’ll ’ave a drop o’ something. (Holroyd goes out. Clara meanwhile
