MRS PETERS: No, it's strange. It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say it was such a--funny way to kill a man, rigging it all up like that. MRS HALE: That's just what Mr Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that's what he can't understand. MRS PETERS: Mr Henderson said coming out that what was needed for the case was a motive; something to show anger, or--sudden feeling. MRS HALE: (_who is standing by the table_) Well, I don't see any signs of anger around here, (_she puts her hand on the dish towel which lies on the table, stands looking down at table, one half of which is clean, the other half messy_) It's wiped to here, (_makes a move as if to finish work, then turns and looks at loaf of bread outside the breadbox. Drops towel. In that voice of coming back to familiar things._) Wonder how they are finding things upstairs. I hope she had it a little more red-up up there. You know, it seems kind of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against her! MRS PETERS: But Mrs Hale, the law is the law. MRS HALE: I s'pose 'tis, (_unbuttoning her coat_) Better loosen up your things, Mrs Peters. You won't feel them when you go out. (MRS PETERS _takes off her fur tippet, goes to hang it on hook at back of room, stands looking at the under part of the small corner table_.) MRS PETERS: She was piecing a quilt. (_She brings the large sewing basket and they look at the bright pieces_.) MRS HALE: It's log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder if she was goin' to quilt it or just knot it? (_Footsteps have been heard coming down the stairs_. The SHERIFF enters followed by HALE and the COUNTY ATTORNEY.) SHERIFF: They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot it! (_The men laugh, the women look abashed_.) COUNTY ATTORNEY: (_rubbing his hands over the stove_) Frank's fire didn't do much up there, did it? Well, let's go out to the barn and get that cleared up. (_The men go outside_.) MRS HALE: (_resentfully_) I don't know as there's anything so strange, our takin' up our time with little things while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. (_she sits down at the big table smoothing out a block with decision_) I don't see as it's anything to laugh about. MRS PETERS: (_apologetically_) Of course they've got awful important things on their minds. (_Pulls up a chair and joins MRS HALE at the table_.) MRS HALE: (_examining another block_) Mrs Peters, look at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (_After she has said this they look at each other, then start to glance back at the door. After an instant_ MRS HALE _has pulled at a knot and ripped the sewing_.) MRS PETERS: Oh, what are you doing, Mrs Hale?