Washington Square Plays

								

THADDEUS move toward the door left. As though in a stupor, MARY starts
to follow.] Sit down! [MARY falls into the chair at the right of the
centre table. The SERGEANT and THADDEUS go into the room at left. They
can be heard moving furniture about. MARY'S eyes fall on a pin on the
floor. She bends over, picks it up, and fastens it in her belt. The
SERGEANT and THADDEUS return.]
SERGEANT. If I find him now, after all the trouble you've given me,
you know what'll happen. There's likely to be two dead men and a woman,
instead of only the Yankee.
DICK [bounding into the room]. Sergeant!
SERGEANT. What is it? [DICK hurries to the SERGEANT and says something
in a low voice to him. Satisfaction shows on the latter's face.]
SERGEANT. Now my good people, how did that horse get here?
THADDEUS. What horse?

DICK. There's a horse in the barn with a saddle on his back. I swear
he's been ridden lately.
THADDEUS [amazed]. There is?
SERGEANT. You know it. [To MARY.] Come, woman, who drove that horse
here?
MARY [silent for a moment--her eyes on the floor]. I don't know. I
didn't hear nothin'.
THADDEUS [moving in the direction of the door back]. Let me go an' see.
SERGEANT [pushing THADDEUS back]. No, you don't. You two have done
enough to justify the harshest measures. Show us the man's hiding-place.
THADDEUS. If there's anybody here, he's come in the night without our
knowin' it. I tell ye I didn't see anybody, an' she didn't, an'----
SERGEANT [has been watching MARY]. Where is he? [The SERGEANT'S tone
makes THADDEUS jump. There is a pause, during which MARY seems trying
to compose herself. Then slowly, she lifts her eyes and looks at the
SERGEANT.]
MARY. There ain't nobody in the house 'cept us two.
SERGEANT [to DICK]. Did you search all the outbuildings?
DICK. Yes. There's not a trace of him except the horse.
SERGEANT [wiping the perspiration from his face; speaks with apparent
deliberation at first, but increases to great strength and emphasis]. He
didn't have much of a start of us, and I think he was wounded. A farmer
down the road said he heard hoof-beats. The man the other side of you
heard nothing, and the horse is in your barn. [Slowly draws revolver,
and points it at THADDEUS.] There are ways of making people confess.
THADDEUS [covering his face with his hands]. For God's sake, don't. I
know that horse looks bad--but as I live I ain't heard a sound, or seen
anybody. I'd give the man up in a minute if he was here.
SERGEANT [lowering his gun]. Yes, I guess you would. You wouldn't want
me to hand you and your wife over to our army to be shot down like dogs.
[MARY shivers.] [Swings round sharply, and points the gun at MARY.] Your
wife knows where he's hid.
MARY [breaking out in irritating, rasping voice]. I'm sure I wish I did.
An' I'd tell ye quick, an' git ye out of here. 'Tain't no fun fer me to
have ye prowlin' all over my house. Ye ain't got no right t' torment me