Part 6

HATCH: This is the last time I take YOU out.

ALICE: (arranging the food upon the table) Now, why are you so peevish to everybody? Why don't you be sociable, and take some supper? (Glances at sideboard.) You seem to have taken everything else. Oh, that reminds me. Would you object to loaning me about--four, six--about six of our knives and forks? Just for the supper. I suppose we can borrow from the neighbors for breakfast. Unless you've been calling on the neighbors, too.

HATCH: Oh, anything to oblige a lady. (Threateningly.) But no tricks, now!

ALICE: Oh, I can't promise that, because I mightn't be able to keep my promise.

(HATCH brings silver knives and forks from the bag.)

HATCH: I'll risk all the tricks you know. Nobody's got much the better of me in the last twenty years.

ALICE: Have you been a burglar twenty years? You must have begun very young. I can't see your face very well, but I shouldn't say you were--over forty. Do take that mask off. It looks so--unsociable. Don't be afraid of me. I've a perfectly shocking memory for faces. Now, I'm sure that under that unbecoming and terrifying exterior you are hiding a kind and fatherly countenance. Am I right? (Laughs.) Why do you wear it?

HATCH: (roughly) To keep my face warm.

ALICE: Oh, pardon me, my mistake.

(A locomotive whistle is heard at a distance. ALICE listens eagerly. As the whistle dies away and is not repeated, her face shows her disappointment.)

HATCH: What was that? There's no trains this time of night.

ALICE: (speaking partly to herself) It was a freight train, going the other way.

HATCH: (suspiciously) The other way? The other way from where?

ALICE: From where it started. Do you know, I've always wanted to meet a burglar. But it's so difficult. They go out so seldom.

HATCH: Yes, and they arrive so late.

ALICE: (laughingly) Now, that's much better. It's so nice of you to have a sense of humor. While you're there, just close those blinds, please, so that the neighbors can't see what scandalous hours we keep. And then you can make a light. This is much too gloomy for a supper party.

HATCH: (closing shutters) Yes, if those were shut it might be safer.

(He closes shutters and turns on the two electric lights. REDDY and HARRY enter, carrying plates.)

HARRY: We aren't regular waiters, miss, but we think we're pretty good for amateurs.

REDDY: We haven't forgot nothing. Not even napkins. Have some napkins?

(Places a pile of folded napkins in front of ALICE. Then sits at head of table, HARRY to lower right of table. ALICE moves her chair away from the table, but keeping REDDY on her right. HATCH sits still further away from the table on her left.)

ALICE: Thanks. Put the plates down there. And may I help you to some--

REDDY: (taking food in fingers) Oh, we'll help ourselves.

ALICE: Of course you're accustomed to helping yourselves, aren't you? (To HATCH.) Won't you join them?

HATCH: No.

(Through the scene which follows, REDDY and HARRY continue to eat and drink heartily.)

ALICE: No? Well, then, while they're having supper, you and I will talk. If you're going to gag me soon, I want to talk while I can. (Rises and hands box to him.) Have a cigar?

HATCH: (takes cigar) Thanks.