MRS. VERNON. I knowed he'd bring disgrace on the whole house, Kate. [_Getting sun-bonnet._] I'll go in through Mrs. Clark's back way--_she'll_ know--come, Kate, I'm your mother, and a mother never deserts her child. [_In stage heroics._ KATE. [_Recoiling._] I don't care to go. LIZBETH. Take me, ma. MRS. VERNON. Come on, [_Exit with_ LIZBETH. KATE. [_In wild-eyed panic._] Oh, how dreadful! This is what I have felt coming all the day. It is my fault, too. If I had said 'yes' last night, or only gone with him this morning--it couldn't have happened. How horrible!--killed a man! They didn't tell me whom. I--I wonder if my name was mentioned? They said--_Lizbeth_ said--_a train-robber_--[_She leans on table for support._] That letter! Jim thought the writing looked like his. Jim--Jim has told others his suspicion--Yes--Jim Radburn has done it! I see! I see! Jim hated him--they have persecuted him for _me_--Oh! oh! Why did I not go last night? _Enter_ TRAVERS, _pale and breathless--revolver in hand. He closes the door behind him._ TRAVERS. Kate! KATE. Oh! TRAVERS. Who's there? [_Points toward shop._ KATE. No one. What is the matter? Tell me what you did--that pistol! TRAVERS. In self-defence--they would have killed _me_ if they could. KATE. You _shot_ him? TRAVERS. Yes. [_As she hides her face._] Kate! Kate! I can't come in front of the window--where can I go? KATE. They will find you here. [_He turns, facing door with pistol, left hand holding door shut, menacingly._] No,--not that--you wouldn't shoot again! My father may come here! TRAVERS. Kate! Do you believe me? KATE. Yes. TRAVERS. [_Pleading._] In self-defence--they were ten--ten to one. KATE. You are bleeding! TRAVERS. [_Covers hand._] The window cut me--give me a drink--I'm parching. [_She gets water in a dipper from bucket on bench._ TRAVERS _drinks with the tin rattling on his teeth. Noise of a galloping horse passes. He drops the dipper._] I don't think they saw me come in here. KATE. Why did you come? TRAVERS. Where else? I ran--turned every corner till I lost them. If I can hide or get a horse! KATE. [_Doubting him._] Why did they try to arrest you? TRAVERS. I--I don't know, Kate--some mistake. KATE. They said the express robbery. TRAVERS. It isn't so-- KATE. [_Goes to table and leans on it with her back to_ TRAVERS.] Ah! TRAVERS. Kate, [_Pause._] Kate, [_Pause._] you must believe me! Why should I be here [_Pause._] in this little town-- KATE. Why did you shoot? TRAVERS. I had to--they would have killed me--it is all a mistake--Kate, _Kate_-- KATE. What shall we do? TRAVERS. If I had a horse-- KATE. But why? TRAVERS. Listen! _There is again the sound of approaching hoofs._ KATE. Some one is coming--[_He turns at bay._] No--I couldn't stand it--go in here--[_Opens closet._] Quick! TRAVERS. Yes! [_He enters the closet--she closes the door of the closet and throws open the street door; goes to table._ JIM _rides into view and drops from his horse._