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certainly did. Right after supper and when he got back, the fire’d already broke out. I got smoke in my eyes and my nose and throat. I was in such a wornout nervous condition it made me cry. Finally I took two teaspoons of paregoric.
    SILVA : Sounds like you passed a very uncomfortable night.
    BABY DOLL : Sounds like? Well it was!
    SILVA : So Mr. Meighan—you say—disappeared after supper.
    BABY DOLL [
after a pause
]: Huh?
    SILVA : You say Mr. Meighan left the house for a while after supper?
    [
Something in his tone makes her aware that she has spoken indiscreetly
.]
    BABY DOLL : Oh—uh—just for a moment.
    SILVA : Just for a moment, huh? How long a moment?
    BABY DOLL : What are you driving at, Mr. Vacarro?
    SILVA : Driving at? Nothing.
    BABY DOLL : You’re looking at me so funny.
    SILVA : How long a moment did he disappear for? Can you remember, Mrs. Meighan?
    BABY DOLL : What difference does that make? What’s it to you, anyhow?
    SILVA : Why should you mind my asking?
    BABY DOLL : You make this sound like I was on trial for something.
    SILVA : Don’t you like to pretend like you’re a witness?
    BABY DOLL : Witness of what, Mr. Vacarro?
    SILVA : Why—for instance—say—a case of arson!
    BABY DOLL : Case of—? What is—arson?
    SILVA : The willful destruction of property by fire.
    [
He slaps his boots sharply with the riding crop
.]
    BABY DOLL : Oh!
    [
She nervously fingers her purse
.]
    SILVA : There’s one thing I always notice about you ladies.
    BABY DOLL : What’s that?
    SILVA : Whenever you get nervous, you always like to have something in your hands to hold on to—like that big white purse.
    BABY DOLL : This purse?
    SILVA : Yes, it gives you something to hold on to, isn’t that right?
    BABY DOLL : Well, I do always like to have something in my hands.
    SILVA : Sure you do. You feel what a lot of uncertain things there are. Gins burn down. No one know how or why. Volunteer fire departments don’t have decent equipment. They’re no protection. The afternoon sun is too hot. The trees! They’re no protection! The house—it’s haunted! It’s no protection. Your husband. He’s across the road and busy. He’s no protection! The goods that dress is made of—it’s light and thin—it’s no protection. So what do you do, Mrs. Meighan? You pick up that white kid purse. It’s something to hold on to.
    BABY DOLL : Now, Mr. Vacarro. Don’t you go and be getting any—funny ideas.
    SILVA : Ideas about what?
    BABY DOLL : My husband disappearing—after supper. I can explain that.
    SILVA : Can you?
    BABY DOLL : Sure I can.
    SILVA : Good! How do you explain it?
    [
He stares at her. She looks down
.]
    What’s the matter? Can’t you collect your thoughts, Mrs. Meighan?
    [
Pause
.]
    Your mind’s a blank on the subject?
    BABY DOLL : Look here, now. . . .
    SILVA : You find it impossible to remember just what your husband disappeared for after supper? You can’t imagine what kind of an errand he went out on, can you?
    BABY DOLL : No! No! I can’t!
    SILVA : But when he returned—let’s see—the fire had just broken out at the Syndicate Plantation.
    BABY DOLL : Mr. Vacarro, I don’t have the slightest idea what you could be driving at.
    SILVA : You’re a very unsatisfactory witness, Mrs. Meighan.
    BABY DOLL : I never can think when people—stare straight at me.
    SILVA : Okay, I’ll look away then.
    [
Turns his back to her
.]
    Now, does that improve your memory any? Now are you able to concentrate on the question?
    BABY DOLL : Huh?
    SILVA : No? You’re not?
    [
Grins evilly
.]
    Well—should we drop the subject??
    BABY DOLL : I sure do wish you would!
    SILVA : Sure, there’s no use crying over a burnt-down gin. And besides, like your husband says—this world is built on the principle of tit for tat.
    BABY DOLL : What do you mean?
    SILVA : Nothing at all specific. Mind if I. . .?
    BABY DOLL : What?
    [
Silva approaches the swing where she sits
.]
    SILVA : You want to move over a little and make some