HATTIE: They was all excited. Mr Edgeworth--he went away. He was gone all night, I guess. I saw him coming back just as the milkman woke me up. Now he's packing his things. _He_ wanted to get to Mrs Archer too--just a little while ago. But she won't open her door for none of them. I can't even get in to do her room. ANTHONY: Then do some other room--and leave me alone in this room. HATTIE: (_a little afraid of what she is asking_) Is she sick, Anthony--or what? (_vindicating herself, as he gives her a look_) The doctor, he stayed here late. But she'd locked herself in. I heard Mr Archer-- ANTHONY: You heard too much! (_he starts for the door, to make her leave, but_ DICK _rushes in. Looks around wildly, goes to the trap-door, finds it locked_) ANTHONY: What are you doing here? DICK: Trying not to be shot--if you must know. This is the only place I can think of--till he comes to his senses and I can get away. Open that, will you? Rather--ignominious--but better be absurd than be dead. HATTIE: Has he got the revolver? DICK: Gone for it. Thought I wouldn't sit there till he got back, (_to_ ANTHONY) Look here--don't you get the idea? Get me some place where he can't come. ANTHONY: It is not what this place is for. DICK: Any place is for saving a man's life. HATTIE: Sure, Anthony. Mrs Archer wouldn't want Mr Demming shot. DICK: That's right, Anthony. Miss Claire will be angry at you if you get me shot. (_he makes for the door of the inner room_) ANTHONY: You can't go in there. It's locked. (HARRY _rushes in from outside_.) HARRY: I thought so! (_he has the revolver_. HATTIE _screams_) ANTHONY: Now, Mr Archer, if you'll just stop and think, you'll know Miss Claire wouldn't want Mr Demming shot. HARRY: You think that can stop me? You think you can stop me? (_raising the revolver_) A dog that-- ANTHONY: (_keeping squarely between_ HARRY _and_ DICK) Well, you can't shoot him in here. It is not good for the plants. (HARRY _is arrested by this reason_) And especially not today. Why, Mr Archer, Breath of Life may flower today. It's years Miss Claire's been working for this day. HARRY: I never thought to see this day! ANTHONY: No, did you? Oh, it will be a wonderful day. And how she has worked for it. She has an eye that sees what isn't right in what looks right. Many's the time I've thought--Here the form is set--and then she'd say, 'We'll try this one', and it had--what I hadn't known was there. She's like that. HARRY: I've always been pleased, Anthony, at the way you've worked with Miss Claire. This is hardly the time to stand there eulogizing her. And she's (_can hardly say it_) things you don't know she is. ANTHONY: (_proudly_) Oh, I know that! You think I could work with her and not know she's more than I know she is? HARRY: Well, if you love her you've got to let me shoot the dirty dog that drags her down! ANTHONY: Not in here. Not today. More than like you'd break the glass. And Breath of Life's in there.