27 Wagons Full of Cotton and Other Plays Read Online Free Page A

hurt my sinus an’ I was in such a wo’n out, nervous condition, it made me cry. I cried like a baby. Finally took two teaspoons of paregoric. Enough to put an elephant to sleep. But still I stayed awake an’ heard them chickens carryin’ on out there!
    V ICARRO: It sounds like you passed a very uncomfortable night.
    F LORA: Sounds like? Well, it was.
    V ICARRO: So Mr. Meighan—you say—disappeared after supper? ( There is a pause while Flora looks at him blankly. )
    F LORA: Huh?
    V ICARRO: You say Mr. Meighan was out of the house for a while after supper? ( Something in his tone makes her aware of her indiscretion. )
    F LORA: Oh—uh—just for a moment.
    V ICARRO: Just for a moment, huh? How long a moment? ( He stares at her very hard. )

    F LORA: What are you driving at, Mr. Vicarro?
    V ICARRO: Driving at? Nothing.
    F LORA: You’re looking at me so funny.
    V ICARRO: He disappeared for a moment! Is that what he did? How long a moment did he disappear for? Can you remember, Mrs. Meighan?
    F LORA: What difference does that make? What’s it to you, anyhow?
    V ICARRO: Why should you mind me asking?
    F LORA: You make this sound like I was on trial for something!
    V ICARRO: Don’t you like to pretend like you’re a witness?
    F LORA: Witness of what, Mr. Vicarro?
    V ICARRO: Why—for instance—say—a case of arson!
    F LORA: ( wetting her lips )Case of—? What is—arson?
    V ICARRO: The willful destruction of property by fire. ( He slaps his boots sharply with the riding crop. )
    F LORA: ( startled )Oh! ( She nervously fingers the purse. )Well, now, don’t you go and be getting any—funny ideas.
    V ICARRO: Ideas about what, Mrs. Meighan?
    F LORA: My husband’s disappearin’—after supper. I can explain that.
    V ICARRO: Can you?
    F LORA: Sure I can.
    V ICARRO: Good! How do you explain it? ( He stares at her. She looks down. )What’s the matter? Can’t you collect your thoughts, Mrs. Meighan?
    F LORA: No, but—
    V ICARRO: Your mind’s a blank on the subject?
    F LORA: Look here, now— ( She squirms on the swing. )
    V ICARRO: You find it impossible to remember just what your husband disappeared for after supper? You can’t imagine what kind of errand it was that he went out on, can you?
    F LORA: No ! N o, I can’t!

    V ICARRO: But when he returned—let’s see . . . The fire had just broken out at the Syndicate Plantation?
    F LORA: Mr. Vicarro, I don’t have the slightest idear what you could be driving at.
    V ICARRO: You’re a very unsatisfactory witness, Mrs. Meighan.
    F LORA: I never can think when people—stare straight at me.
    V ICARRO: Okay. I’ll look away, then. ( He turns his back to her. )Now does that improve your memory any? Now are you able to concentrate on the question?
    F LORA: Huh . . .
    V ICARRO: No ? You’re not? ( He turns around again, grinning evilly. )Well . . . shall we drop the subject?
    F LORA: I sure do wish you would.
    V ICARRO: It’s no use crying over a burnt-down gin. This world is built on the principle of tit for tat.
    F LORA: What do you mean?
    V ICARRO: Nothing at all specific. Mind if I . . . ?
    F LORA: What?
    V ICARRO: You want to move over a little an’ make some room? ( Flora edges aside on the swing. He sits down with her. )I like a swing. I’ve always liked to sit an’ rock on a swing. Relaxes you . . . You relaxed?
    F LORA: Sure.
    V ICARRO: No, you’re not. Your nerves are all tied up.
    F LORA: Well, you made me feel kind of nervous. All of them questions you ast me about the fire.
    V ICARRO: I didn’ ask you questions about the fire. I only asked you about your husband’s leaving the house after supper.
    F LORA: I explained that to you.
    V ICARRO: Sure. That’s right. You did. The good-neighbor policy. That was a lovely remark your husband made about the good-neighbor policy. I see what he means by that now.
    F LORA: He was thinking about President Roosevelt’s speech. We sat up an’ lissened to it one night last week.

    V ICARRO: No, I think that he was