It’s the chanct of a lifetime. We’ll take it.
It’s come to us. It might a’ bin the answer to a prayer.
Not exactly, but I’ve been thinkin’ a lot.
There’s no such thing. Y’re talkin’ nonsense.
Well, I’ve ’eard tell as women aren’t honest like men and now I know it.
I’ve never took a thing in my life. I’ve a record, ’aven’t I?
I dessay. I dunno. I won’t give it up. I won’t. I won’t. So there!
I’ve sat there darnin’ and mendin’, waitin’ and dozin’ till I’m tired. I’ve never ’ad a go at anythin’. The chanct ’as come.
An’ ’ow did ’e get it? ’E’s a tyrant. ’E stole it off some nigger. Now it’s come to me. It’s mine. It’s mine as much as anyone’s. It’s come like a miracle.
First thing in the mornin’ y’ll get a list o’ them ships sailin’ for South America.
It’s dangerous. It’s dangerous. There may be a revolver levelled at y’ now.
Y’ shall ’ave jewels and dresses no end, Polly.
South America! Like that chap Jabez Balfour.
We’d manage better than that. Riches! Livin’ at ease. Motors an’ champagne. We’ve never ’ad a chanct!
It can’t be done. It’s all nonsense. An’ it’s ’orrible to think of.
Oh! It’s a beautiful thing. I couldn’t bear to break it up. We’ll keep it. We’ll look at it now and then. Every Sunday.
I could go on settin’ ’ere if I knew it was there all the time. I think I could be ’appy.
Then they’ll be after us. Police--or worse.
[_There is a ring at the door-bell. They all stand tense._
You’ll not say a word. You’ll do as I tell you. Mind that. We know nothing.
Thomas Perkins, you’ll rue it to your dyin’ day if----
No, no. Best not. Humour her a bit. It may be nothin’.
(_Outside._) No, you don’t. ’Ere. I tell yer----
[_Mrs Perkins and a dark Stranger, dressed in black, enter together. She is resisting his advance, but he presses on ruthlessly. As he enters she gives way and changes her tactics._
Well, I must say! Pushin’ a lady about like that! What bis’ness ’ave y’ ’ere?
A fine tale! Y’r boy an’ ’is glass marble! Where is ’e? I tell yer we know nothin’ about it. Do we, Pa?
[_Behind the Stranger, with a terrific frown, she shakes her fist at him._
(_Feebly blustering_.) Now what’s all this?
I’m sorry to intrude, sir, but I’ve lost something in your room.
As I have told this lady, my little boy----