empty for a moment, and then MINNIE FARRELL enters through the
opposite door, left, from DR. JONATHAN'S office. She gazes around
the room, and then goes resolutely to the bench and takes up several
test tubes in turn, holding theme to the light. Suddenly her eye
falls on GEORGE'S letter, which ASHER has left open on the bench
with the envelope beside it. MINNIE Slowly reaches out and picks it
up, and then holds it to her lips . . . She still has the letter
in her hand, gazing at it, when AUGUSTA PINDAR enters, right.)

AUGUSTA. Oh, I thought Mr. Pindar was here!

MINNIE. Perhaps he's been here--I don't know. I just came in. (She
hesitates a second, then goes to the bench and lays the letter down.)

AUGUSTA. He must have been here,--he told me he was coming to talk with
Dr. Pindar.

(She approaches the bench and glances at the letter.)

Isn't that a letter from my son?

MINNIE (a little defiantly, yet almost in tears). I guess it is.

AUGUSTA. It was written to you?

MINNIE. No.

AUGUSTA. Then what were you doing with it?

MINNIE. I just--picked it up. You think I was reading it? Well, I