MRS HALE: (_mildly_) Just pulling out a stitch or two that's not sewed very good. (_threading a needle_) Bad sewing always made me fidgety. MRS PETERS: (nervously) I don't think we ought to touch things. MRS HALE: I'll just finish up this end. (_suddenly stopping and leaning forward_) Mrs Peters? MRS PETERS: Yes, Mrs Hale? MRS HALE: What do you suppose she was so nervous about? MRS PETERS: Oh--I don't know. I don't know as she was nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I'm just tired. (MRS HALE _starts to say something, looks at_ MRS PETERS, _then goes on sewing_) Well I must get these things wrapped up. They may be through sooner than we think, (_putting apron and other things together_) I wonder where I can find a piece of paper, and string. MRS HALE: In that cupboard, maybe. MRS PETERS: (_looking in cupboard_) Why, here's a bird-cage, (_holds it up_) Did she have a bird, Mrs Hale? MRS HALE: Why, I don't know whether she did or not--I've not been here for so long. There was a man around last year selling canaries cheap, but I don't know as she took one; maybe she did. She used to sing real pretty herself. MRS PETERS: (_glancing around_) Seems funny to think of a bird here. But she must have had one, or why would she have a cage? I wonder what happened to it. MRS HALE: I s'pose maybe the cat got it. MRS PETERS: No, she didn't have a cat. She's got that feeling some people have about cats--being afraid of them. My cat got in her room and she was real upset and asked me to take it out. MRS HALE: My sister Bessie was like that. Queer, ain't it? MRS PETERS: (_examining the cage_) Why, look at this door. It's broke. One hinge is pulled apart. MRS HALE: (_looking too_) Looks as if someone must have been rough with it. MRS PETERS: Why, yes. (_She brings the cage forward and puts it on the table_.) MRS HALE: I wish if they're going to find any evidence they'd be about it. I don't like this place. MRS PETERS: But I'm awful glad you came with me, Mrs Hale. It would be lonesome for me sitting here alone. MRS HALE: It would, wouldn't it? (_dropping her sewing_) But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs Peters. I wish I had come over sometimes when _she_ was here. I--(_looking around the room_)--wish I had. MRS PETERS: But of course you were awful busy, Mrs Hale--your house and your children. MRS HALE: I could've come. I stayed away because it weren't cheerful--and that's why I ought to have come. I--I've never liked this place. Maybe because it's down in a hollow and you don't see the road. I dunno what it is, but it's a lonesome place and always was. I wish I had come over to see Minnie Foster sometimes. I can see now--(_shakes her head_) MRS PETERS: Well, you mustn't reproach yourself, Mrs Hale. Somehow we just don't see how it is with other folks until--something comes up.