JUDITH. I may well be. I don't know what to do. I don't know what
to do. (Tearing her hands away.) I must save him. (Anderson rises
in alarm as she runs wildly to the door. It is opened in her face
by Essie, who hurries in, full of anxiety. The surprise is so
disagreeable to Judith that it brings her to her senses. Her tone
is sharp and angry as she demands) What do you want?

ESSIE. I was to come to you.

ANDERSON. Who told you to?

ESSIE (staring at him, as if his presence astonished her).
Are you here?

JUDITH. Of course. Don't be foolish, child.

ANDERSON. Gently, dearest: you'll frighten her. (Going between
them.) Come here, Essie. (She comes to him.) Who sent you?

ESSIE. Dick. He sent me word by a soldier. I was to come here at
once and do whatever Mrs. Anderson told me.

ANDERSON (enlightened). A soldier! Ah, I see it all now! They
have arrested Richard. (Judith makes a gesture of despair.)

ESSIE. No. I asked the soldier. Dick's safe. But the soldier said
you had been taken--

ANDERSON. I! (Bewildered, he turns to Judith for an explanation.)