MISS EASTWOOD (_coming to_ ROSALIE C.). Why shouldn't I meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow?
ROSALIE. If you do, something awful may 'appen to 'im.
ROSALIE. If you keep meeting Jimmy 'e may marry you.
CROSBY (_upper end of table_ R.). Would you mind telling me how you know this young lady was going to meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow afternoon?
ROSALIE. She did leave 'is letter in 'er bag in the 'all, and while I wait I 'ave read it.
MISS EASTWOOD (C.). How did you know it was my bag?
ROSALIE. The stuff of the bag matches the stuff of your dress.
MRS. CROSBY (_seated below table_ R.). Then it is all trickery?
ROSALIE. It is, madame, and it is not. I tell you, madame, most of the time it is tricks, with even the best of us. But there 'ave been times in my life when it was not tricks. There 'ave been things I could not understand myself, messages from them that 'ave passed on, madame. There is a power--a wonderful power--that come to us. But you never can tell when it is coming. And if you waited for it you would starve to death. So when it is not there we use tricks.
MRS. CROSBY (_seated at lower end of table at_ R.). I think I understand.
ROSALIE. Do you, madame? I thought you would.
(_She moves to and puts her hand-bag on the table_ R. MRS. TRENT, _seated below door down_ L., _is joined by_ WALES. MASON _is standing in front of the fireplace_.)
MISS EASTWOOD (_coming to_ R.C.). Don't you think all this is dishonest!
ROSALIE (_in front of table_ R., _turning to her_). What is dishonest in it?
MISS EASTWOOD. Tricking a lot of poor ignorant people.
ROSALIE. It is all in the way you look at it. A widow woman came to me this mornin' with a breaking 'eart for the man that was gone. I went into a trance and Laughing Eyes, my spirit control, came with a message from 'im. She said 'e was in heaven with the angels, and there was no cold nor 'unger; and the streets were paved with gold, and there was music and 'appiness everywhere. She told 'er he was thinking of 'er every day and every hour and watching and waiting for the day she would come to 'im. Now wasn't that worth fifty cents of any woman's money? And the man may be in 'ell for all I know!
TRENT (L.C. _by arm-chair_). What I can't understand is why you are telling us all this.