r closely. Then with a little
cry of contentment stands_ R. _of_ HELEN. ROSALIE _and_ HELEN _back up
to chesterfield_.) Now, darling, you must not be frightened. Look up,
child. Why do not you say something?

HELEN. I can't.

(_Sits on chesterfield._ DONOHUE _gives a short laugh_.)

DONOHUE. What can she say?

WILLIAM (_going to her_). Dear, tell him it's a lie.

CROSBY. Wait. Let me talk to her. (CROSBY _comes over to_ HELEN _and
sits beside her on the chesterfield_, R. _side_. WILLIAM _is at_ L.
_end_.) My dear, you understand that none of us believe--what the
Inspector wants us to believe. We know that you have never done
anything--that you are no more guilty of this atrocious crime than I am.
We all want to help you. We believe in you and trust you and love you.
You understand that, don't you?

HELEN. Yes.

WILLIAM. I won't have this.

CROSBY. I'm afraid you must, Will. (_He turns again to_ HELEN.) We
want to help you, so, my dear, you must be perfectly frank with us.
Inspector Donohue says he can prove that you went to that man's rooms.
Is that true?

HELEN (_slowly and reluctantly_). Yes.

(DONOHUE _gives a short laugh. Sits back of table_ R.)

ROSALIE (R. _of chesterfield_). And what if she did? She had a good
errand. What did you go for, darling?

HELEN. I can't tell you.

WILLIAM. Dear, you must tell us. (_She looks at him suddenly. He comes
over and kneels beside her and talks to her as if to a little child._)
My dear, it isn't that we don't trust you. Surely you know how we all
love you? But we must know the truth--because we have to show _him_ how
wrong he is.

DONOHUE (_seated back of table_ R.). Yes, and I'm waiting to be shown.

WILLIAM (_kneeling_ L. _of_ HELEN). Why did you go to Spencer Lee?

HELEN (_sitting on chesterfield_). You mustn't ask me that. I can't tell
you.

CROSBY (_still on chesterfield_). But if you don't tell us, how can we
help you?

HELEN. I didn't do anything, I didn't do anything.

CROSBY. We know that, my child. But why did you go? (HELEN _does not
answer_.) Did you know Spencer Lee?

WILLIAM. Of course she didn't.

DONOHUE (_seated back of table_ R.). Why don't she speak for herself?

WILLIAM. Because I'll speak for her.

CROSBY. Can't you answer even that question?

(HELEN _shakes her head and makes a despairing gesture_.)

WILLIAM. But, dear, don't you see what they'll think? Helen, you must
tell me.

HELEN. Could I speak to mother, alone? (_S