-got an expert to swear it looked like my writing.

EM'LY. Tain't a bit--like it.

JIM. [_To_ EMILY.] Did you see it?

SAM. No, but I showed her part of the letter he wrote to the
newspaper, saying I was innocent. [_Feels in pocket._] Ain't that
strange? Seems to be a kind-hearted fellow.

MRS. VERNON. Jes' drove to it I s'pose by drink.

SAM. Here it is. [_Hands paper to_ JIM.

JIM. Hello! [_Looks at_ KATE.

JOE. What is it?

JIM _hands paper to_ KATE.

KATE. [_After slight start--haughtily._] What do you mean?

JIM. Oh, not you, Kate. [_Smiling, to_ SAM.] 'Twasn't Kate dressed
up like a man--no! [_General laugh._] Oh, I didn't think that. [KATE
_vexed, goes up-stage._ JIM _in whisper to others._] Mad? [_JOE shakes
his head;_ JIM _nods interrogatively to_ MRS. VERNON.

MRS. VERNON. [_Looking after_ KATE.] Well, I can't see why.

_Exit_ KATE.

JIM. [_After another look after KATE--to_ SAM.] Well, I suppose you
know you're watched.

SAM. [_Indifferently._] How's that?

JIM. There's a Pinkerton here--come last night--had a letter to me
from the Chief--sayin' they knew of me, an' hoped I'd co-operate with
this fellow in watchin' you--and they'd pay well for it.

SAM. [_Smiling._] What did you say?

JIM _shakes head--goes up centre._

EM'LY. Why, Jim kicked him off--of our stoop.

_General laugh._--LIZBETH _crosses to forge and gets pan._ ESROM
_enters playing jew's-harp._

ESROM. What about the coke, Mistah Vernon?

JOE. [_At forge._] Don't want none. [_Suddenly._] See here; look at
this clinker.

ESROM. Can't understand that--shouldn't ought to be no clinker in dat
coke.

JOE. Well, there it is--hard as flint.

ESROM. [_Examines clinker._] Funny clinker.

JOE. Well, there it is.

JIM. Hold on, Joe. I shouldn't wonder if that was that gumbo.

JOE. What gumbo?

JIM. The poultice. I throwed it among that coke.

JOE. Yes, here's some only half-burned.

ESROM. [_Going._] I knowed they shouldn't ought to be no clinker.

JOE. But look at this red piece--as hard as a rock.

JIM. [_Half-startled._] Why, Joe--[_Looks at him._

JOE. What?

JIM. Well, nothing--

MRS. VERNON. Well, what about breakfast, everybody?

JOE. Let's finish it--come Sam--

SAM. I've had mine.

JOE. Well, come talk to us.

SAM. [_Going._] All right--got heaps to tell you.

LIZBETH. How do you like the Southern Hotel?

_Exeunt all but_ DAVE _and_ JIM. JIM _takes clinker and turns it
carefully over in his