MARY. [_Stealing nervously to him and laying a hand on his arm._] Joe-- JOE. [_Raising his head and looking at her._] Yes--what is it? [_She stands timidly with downcast eyes._] Well? Out with it, Mary! MARY. [_Suddenly._] It's this, Joe. [_She goes feverishly to the mattress, and from underneath it she pulls out a big, fat purse which she hands him._ JOE. [_Staring._] A purse! MARY. [_Nodding._] Yes. JOE. You-- MARY. Found it. JOE. [_Looking at her._] Found? MARY. [_Awkwardly._] In a way I did--yes. JOE. How? MARY. It came on to rain, Joe--and I went into a Tube Station--and was standing by a bookstall, showing Minnie the illustrated papers--and an old lady bought one--and she took out her purse--this purse--and paid for it--and laid the purse on the board while she fumbled to pick up her skirts--and then some one spoke to her--a friend, I suppose--and--there were lots of people standing about--I don't know how it was--I was out in the street, with Minnie-- JOE. You had the purse? MARY. Yes-- JOE. No one followed you? MARY. No one. I couldn't run, as I had to carry Minnie. JOE. What made you do it? MARY. I don't know--something in me did it--She put the purse down just by the side of my hand--my fingers clutched it before I knew--and I was out in the street. JOE. How much is there in it? MARY. I haven't looked, Joe. JOE. [_Wondering._] You haven't looked? MARY. No; I didn't dare. JOE. [_Sorrowfully._] I didn't think we'd come to this, Mary. MARY. [_Desperately._] We've got to do something. Before we can earn any money at making matchboxes we'll have to spend some weeks learning. And you've not had a decent meal for a month--nor have I. If there's money inside this purse you can get some clothes--and for me too--I need them! It's not as though the old lady would miss it--she's rich enough--her cloak was real sable--and no one can find us out--they can't tell one piece of money from the other. It's heavy, Joe--I think there's a lot inside. JOE. [_Weighing it mechanically._] Yes--it's heavy-- MARY. [_Eagerly._] Open it, Joe. JOE. [_Turning to her again._] Why didn't you? MARY. I just thought I'd wait--I'd an idea something might have happened; that some one might have stopped you in the street, some one with a heart--and that he'd have come in with you to-night--and seen us--seen Minnie--and said--"Well, here's money--I'll put you on your legs again"--And then we'd have given the purse back, Joe. JOE. [_As he still mechanically balances it in his hand._] Yes. MARY. Can't go on like this, can we? You'll cough all night again, as you did yesterday--and the stuff they gave you at the Dispensary's no good. If you had clothes, you might get some sort of a job perhaps--you know you had to give up trying because you were so shabby. JOE. They laugh at me. MARY. [_With a glance at herself._] And I'm really ashamed to walk through the streets--