mean? Whose sins do we pay for?

_Jack._ I don't know.

_Dolly._ If there's a God in heaven, how can he allow it? How can he
allow some to be idle and rich, and to despise us who have nothing?

_Jack._ Tell me about to-night.

_Dolly._ I went to the old place. And there was a man--he was drunk,
and he'd lost his money, and he said I'd robbed him. A servant gave
me the tip--the madam had sent for the police. I dodged out by the
basement way.

_Jack._ And they're after you?

_Dolly._ The man's a politician--some big man--and so they'll hunt
me out. I'm a stranger, I've no friends, and they'll send me up for
a year or two. I wouldn't care; I'm rotten--fit for nothing but the
dump-heap. But there's Belle. She's straight, and I must keep her
straight.

_Jack._ Yes, Dolly, we'll keep her straight.

_Dolly._ I never thought I'd trust another man, Jack. But I think
you're decent. Mark this though! _(Fiercely.)_ By the God above, if
you ever do Belle any harm, Jack, I'll shoot you dead!

_Jack._ Dolly! Why talk to me that way? I love her. I've told her
that I love her.