n, some of us build so high that the angels
have to come down and tinker our roofs ... and when they
won't, Smidgkin ... when they won't (Lays letter on the
table) ... I hope you have no errands to take you from
your cheerful fireside in weather like this, Mrs.
Smidgkin.

Mrs. S. My name is Schmidt, Mr. Poe.

Poe. Pardon me, madam.

Mrs. S. Air you a goin' to open that letter or air you not?

Poe. Why, good woman, to be sure I am. I did not know you were
particularly interested. Excuse me. Here goes--and God
mend the devil's work. (Opens letter and reads) 'I have
talked with Brackett--' Brackett! (Drops letter and sits
dumb)

Mrs. S. He sent you the ten dollars, hey? Where is it, hey?
Seems to me that's white paper with mighty few marks on
it! Not much like a ten dollar bill! Where is it, I say?
Lost in the mailbags, I reckon! It will come by next post!
You're certain--quite certain, Smidgkin! I tell you, Mr.
Poe, this is once too often!

Poe. A bare, unfurnished room like this--

Mrs. S. Is worth just a dollar a week to me, which is exactly a
dollar more than you can pay!

Poe. Mrs. Smidgkin, there is a legend in the world that pity
never wholly leaves the breast of woman.

Mrs. S. Shame to your tongue, Mr. Poe, that says I haven't been
as kind to you as your own mother--sister! Haven't you had
this room nigh to a month since I've seen a cent for it?
Didn't I give you stale bread a whole week, an' coffee a
Sunday mornin'? An' you dare say I'm not a Christian,
merciful woman? You come out o' here, or I'll put hands on
you, I will!

Poe. Mrs. Smidgkin, Mrs. Smidgkin, are you aware that the rain
pours outside like the tears of the Danaides on their
wedding night? And speaking of weddings, Smidgkin--

Mrs. S. Schmidt! As you'll find on my good man's tombstone, an'
some day on my own, bless God!

Poe. O, don't talk so, I beg you!

Mrs. S. Why now, Mr. Poe! Law me, who'd a thought you could be
so softhearted--about a tombstone, too!

Poe. As I said, my dear madam--speaking of weddings--pray take
this chair. 'Tis all I have to offer. Gladly will I stand
before you, though I am but sli