_Rowell_ (_snatches and opens it_). For me? Ah, good, good! Jenks, I shall remember you. Now comes my turn. Gaylie, I must home at once: will you go with me? _Gaylie._ I prefer remaining here. _Rowell._ As you please. Mr. Trueworth, a word with you. (ROB _advances_.) I give you one more opportunity to embrace my offer. 'Tis the last chance. This fine property for your silence. _Rob._ I will make no terms with you. When I have won the right, I will speak. (_Turns up stage._) _Rowell_ (_walking up slowly to door_). When you have won the right: that time will never come. Fool! you have made an enemy of one who can strike deep and well. [_Exit door in_ _F._ _Hosea._ Rowell, Rowell! don't forget me. I must run after him: there's no time to be lost. Come, Hiram! fall in, or we shall fall out. Ha, ha, ha! [_Exit door in_ F. _Crimp._ Take care, Massa Jinks, you don't fall onto ole Jim's horns! (_Looks out at door._) golly, he's a-laying fur him. Dere de go! Go in, ole man; he's a arter ye! By golly, see 'em run: see 'em run! (_Exit._ HIRAM _starts for door, stops irresolutely, and then comes, and stretches himself upon lounge_.) _Hiram._ It's right comfortable here: I think I'll stop. _Gaylie_ (_aside_). He denies my request. What motive can he have in thus appropriating the property of my friends? I must know more of this. (_Aloud._) Come, mother, show me to my old room. I want to talk to you: I've so much to say! I shall not tell you what I have bought for you. Such a cap, a perfect beauty! and such a shawl! You'll be the envy of the town. _Mrs. T._ (_rising_). Dear, dear child! ever thoughtful of my comfort. _Gaylie._ If I were not, I should not deserve so good a mother. Good-by, Mattie: good-by, Rob! [_Exit with arm about_ MRS. TRUEWORTH.] _Rob._ Good-by, Gaylie. Bless her dear heart! mother will have one friend when I am gone. Now, Mattie, I'll take a look about, and see if there's a poor but neat tenement to be had: I won't be gone long. _Mattie._ O Rob! where can we go? _Rob._ Trust all to me, Mattie: I will not leave you homeless. (_Going._) _Hiram_ (_on sofa_). Sh—sh—sh! _Rob_ (_returning_). Why, Hiram, what's the matter? (HIRAM _rises, walks on tiptoe to the window, looks out, turns, "Sh!" then walks to the door, and performs the same manœuvre; then comes down_ C. _on tiptoe, beckoning_ ROB _down_.) _Mattie._ What ails the boy? is he crazy? _Hiram._ Don't mind me. If the old man should happen about, I'm ruined. But, sh—you want a friend. _Rob._ Well, Hiram, I am not quite destitute. _Hiram._ Sh—if I only dared, I could find a friend for you. If I only dared; but I'm such a coward. No matter, I'll take the risk. You know the Widow Smith place?