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[With sudden despairing suspicion]

Good God after all, is it Sam’s child? mightn’t it be Darrell’s! why have I never thought of that? No! Nina couldn’t be so vile! to go on living with Sam, pretending and, after all, why should she, you fool? there’s no sense! she could have gone off with Darrell, couldn’t she? Sam would have given her a divorce there was no possible reason for her staying with Sam, when she loved Darrell, unless exactly because this was Sam’s baby  for its sake

[Hectically relieved]

Of course! of course! that’s all right! I love that poor baby now! I’ll fight for its sake against these two!

[Smilingly gets to his feet—thinking]

I can leave them alone now for they won’t be alone, thanks to me! I leave Sam and his baby in this room with them and their honor

[Suddenly raging]

Their honor! what an obscene joke! the honor of a harlot and a pimp! I hate them! if only God would strike them dead! now! and I could see them die! I would praise His justice! His kindness and mercy to me!

[Thinking—with horrified confusion]

Why doesn’t Charlie go? What is he thinking? I suddenly feel afraid of him!

[She gets to her feet with a confused pleading cry]

Charlie!

[Immediately urbane and smiling]