Do you want to see what Mrs. Peters is going to take in? [_The LAWYER goes to the table, picks up the apron, laughs._ COUNTY ATTORNEY Oh, I guess they’re not very dangerous things the ladies have picked out. [_Moves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. Steps back._] No, Mrs. Peters doesn’t need supervising. For that matter, a sheriff’s wife is married to the law. Ever think of it that way, Mrs. Peters? MRS. PETERS Not--just that way. SHERIFF [_Chuckling._] Married to the law. [_Moves toward the other room._] I just want you to come in here a minute, George. We ought to take a look at these windows. COUNTY ATTORNEY [_Scoffingly._] Oh, windows! SHERIFF We’ll be right out, Mr. Hale. [_HALE goes outside. The SHERIFF follows the COUNTY ATTORNEY into the other room. Then MRS. HALE rises, hands tight together, looking intensely at MRS. PETERS, whose eyes make a slow turn, finally meeting MRS. HALE’S. A moment MRS. HALE holds her, then her own eyes point the way to where the box is concealed. Suddenly MRS. PETERS throws back quilt pieces and tries to put the box in the bag she is wearing. It is too big. She opens box, starts to take bird out, cannot touch it, goes to pieces, stands there helpless. Sound of a knob turning in the other room. MRS. HALE snatches the box and puts it in the pocket of her big coat. Enter COUNTY ATTORNEY and SHERIFF._ COUNTY ATTORNEY [_Facetiously._] Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to--what is it you call it, ladies? MRS. HALE [_Her hand against her pocket._] We call it--knot it, Mr. Henderson. (CURTAIN) * * * * * THE PEOPLE A PLAY IN ONE ACT * * * * * First performed by the Provincetown Players, New York, March 9, 1917 ORIGINAL CAST EDWARD WILLS, _Editor of_ “_The People_” GEORGE CRAM COOK OSCAR TRIPP, _Associate Editor_ PENDLETON KING THE ARTIST DONALD CORLEY SARA NINA MOISE TOM HOWE, _Printer_ LEWIS B. ELL THE BOY _from Georgia_ LESLIE C. BEMIS THE MAN _from the Cape_ IRA REMSEN THE WOMAN _from Idaho_ SUSAN GLASPELL THE EARNEST APPROACH LEW PARRISH THE LIGHT TOUCH PIERRE LOVING THE FIREBRAND HARRY KEMP THE PHILOSOPHER HUTCHINSON COLLINS THE PEOPLE