WOOD. (_very quietly, C._) That's quite right! I'm a left-handed
Woodcock.
MRS. L. (_L._) It's very shocking! but there's something worse behind.
WOOD. (_looking behind him_) Where?
MRS. L. I mean that Mrs. Colonel Carver knows everything. She'll
return immediately; when she's done screaming, your only hope is to
plead guilty at once and sue for pardon for Caroline's sake--you know
that's her tender point!
WOOD. I will! I'll throw myself at once upon her tender point.
MRS. C. (_without_) Don't tell me! I can't--I won't believe it!
_Enter MRS. CARVER, hurriedly, R., and sees WOODCOCK with his arm
in the sling._
MRS. C. (_assuming a very pathetic attitude_) Ah! it's true! (_screams
and falls into chair, MRS. LARKINGS runs to her--WOODCOCK and LARKINGS
exchange winks and laugh_)
MRS. L. (_to MRS. C._) Hush! the arm is only slightly, very slightly
wounded.
MRS. C. I know better! they'll have to amputate it! I shall have a
one-armed son-in-law--a wretched, helpless cripple! (_suddenly to MRS.
LARKINGS_) My dear friend, go to poor dear Caroline--don't leave her
till I've had time to do all my screaming! I know I screamed in the
cab, but not half enough! Go, go!
_Exit MRS. LARKINGS, C., followed by LARKINGS, who again exchanges
winks, &c., with WOODCOCK._
MRS. C. (_watching them out and then turning to WOODCOCK, who looks at
her and then turns his head away as if ashamed of himself_) Am I
awake? or is it a dream--a nightmare? No! there he stands--at least,
all that is left of him. Oh, Marmy! (_sobbing loudly and burying her
face in her handkerchief_)