silver candlestick. She wears a dressing gown, with swan's down
around her throat and at the edges of her sleeves. Her feet are
in bedroom slippers topped with fur. Her hair hangs down in a
braid. After listening intently to the sound of the file, she
places candle on sideboard and goes to telephone. She speaks in a
whisper.

ALICE:
Hello, Central. Hello, Central.
(Impatiently)
Wake up! Wake up! Is that you, Central? Give me the station
agent at Bedford Junction--quick. What? I CAN'T speak louder.
Well, you MUST hear me. Give me the station agent at Bedford
Junction. No, there's always a man there all night. Hurry,
please, hurry.
(There is a pause, during which the sound of the file grows louder.
Alice listens apprehensively.)
Hello, are you the station agent? Good! Listen! I am Miss
Gardner, James K. Gardner's daughter. Yes, James K. Gardner, the
president of the road. This is his house. My mother and I are
here alone. There are three men trying to break in. Yes,
burglars, of course. My mother is very ill. If they frighten her
the shock might--might be very serious. Wake up the crew, and send
the wrecking train here--at once. Send--the--crew--of--the--
wrecking train here--quick. What? Then fire up an engine and get
it here as fast as you can.

VOICE:
(calling from second story)
Alice!