[_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? 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