aved without a wife?

ARETHUSA. O father, if you could but hear me thank and bless you! (_The
tapping of PEW'S stick is heard approaching. GAUNT passes L. front and
sits._)

GAUNT (_beginning to count the taps_). One--two--two hundred and
five----

ARETHUSA (_listening_). God help me, the blind man! (_She runs to door,
C.; the key is put into the lock from without, and the door opens._)

SCENE III

_ARETHUSA (at back of stage by the door); GAUNT (front L.); to these,
PEW, C._

PEW (_sotto voce_). All snug. (_Coming down._) So that was you, my young
friend Christopher, as shot by me on the road; and so you was hot foot
after old Pew? Christopher, my young friend, I reckon I'll have the
bowels out of that chest, and I reckon, you'll be lagged and scragged for
it. (_At these words ARETHUSA locks the door, and takes the key._) What's
that? All still. There's something wrong about this room. Pew, my 'art of
oak, you're queer to-night; brace up and carry on. Where's the tool?
(_Producing knife._) Ah, here she is; and now for the chest; and the
gold; and rum--rum--rum. What! Open?... old clothes, by God!... He's done
me; he's been before me; he's bolted with the swag; that's why he ran:
Lord wither and waste him forty year for it! O Christopher, if I had my
fingers on your throat! Why didn't I strangle the soul out of him? I
heard the breath squeak in his weasand; and Jack Gaunt pulled me off. Ah,
Jack, that's another I owe you. My pious friend, if I was God Almighty
for five minutes! (_GAUNT rises and begins to pace the stage like a
quarter-deck, L._) What's that? A man's walk. He don't see me, thank the
blessed dark! But it's time to slip, my bo. (_He gropes his way
stealthily till he comes to GAUNT'S table, where he burns his hand in the
candle._) A candle--lighted--then it's bright as day! Lord God, doesn't
he see me? It's the horrors come alive. (_GAUNT draws near and turns
away._) I'll go mad, mad! (_He gropes to the door, stopping and
starting._) Door. (_His voice rising for the first time, sharp with
terror._) Locked? Key gone? Trapped! Keep off--keep off of me--keep away!
(_Sotto voce again._) Keep your head, Lord have mercy, keep your head.
I'm wet with sweat. What devil's den is this? I must out--out! (_He
shakes the door vehemently._) No? Knife it is, then--knife--knife--knife!
(_He moves with the knife raised towards GAUNT, intently listening and
changing his direction as GAUNT changes his position