COPYRIGHT 1920, 1948, BY SUSAN GLASPELL Reprinted by permission of Dodd, Mead & Company from Plays by Susan Glaspell. CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that Trifles, being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, the British Empire, including the Do- minion of Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union, is subject to a royalty. All rights, Including professional, amateur, motion pictures, recitation, public reading, radio and television broadcasting and the rights of translation into foreign languages are strictly reserved, Amateurs may produce this play upon payment of a royalty of Ten Dollars for each performance, payable one week before the play is to be given, to Baker's Plays, at 569 Boylston Street, Boston 16, Mass.TRIFLES 415 TRIFLES official business). Now, Mr. Hale, before we move things about, you explain to Mr. Henderson just what you saw when you came here yesterday morning. SCENE: The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of COUNTY ATTORNEY (crossing down to left of the table). By JOHN WRIGHT, a gloomy kitchen, and left without having the way, has anything been moved? Are things just as been put in order-the walls covered with a faded wall you left them yesterday? paper. D. R. is a door leading to the parlor. On the R. wall SHERIFF (looking about). It's just the same. When it above this door is a built-in kitchen cupboard with shelves dropped below zero last night I thought I'd better send in the upper portion and drawers below. In the rear wall Frank out this morning to make a fire for us-(sits right at n., up two steps is a door opening onto stairs leading to of center table) no use getting pneumonia with a big the second floor. In the rear wall at L. is a door to the case on, but I told him not to touch anything except the shed and from there to the outside. Between these two stove-and you know Frank. doors is an old-fashioned black iron stove. Running along COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here the L. wall from the shed door is an old iron sink and sink yesterday. shelf, in which is set a hand pump. Downstage of the sink SHERIFF. Oh-yesterday. When I had to send Frank to is an uncurtained window. Near the window is an old Morris Center for that man who went crazy-I want you wooden rocker. Center stage is an unpainted wooden to know I had my hands full yesterday. I knew you kitchen table with straight chairs on either side. There is a could get back from Omaha by today and as long as I small chair D. R. Unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of went over everything here myself- bread outside the breadbox, a dish towel on the table- other signs of incompleted work. At the rear the shed door COUNTY ATTORNEY. Well, Mr. Hale, tell just what happened opens and the SHERIFF comes in followed by the COUNTY when you came here yesterday morning, ATTORNEY and HALE. The SHERIFF, and HALE are men in HALE (crossing down to above table). Harry and I had middle life, the COUNTY ATTORNEY is a young man; all are started to town with a load of potatoes. We came along much bundled up and go at once to the stove. They are the road from my place and as I got here I said, "I'm followed by the two women-the SHERIFF's wife, MRS. going to see if I can't get John Wright to go in with me PETERS, first; she is a slight wiry woman, a thin nervous on a party telephone." I spoke to Wright about it once face. MRS. BALE is larger and would ordinarily be called before and he put me off, saying folks talked too much more comfortable looking, but she is disturbed now and anyway, and all he asked was peace and quiet-I guess looks fearfully about as she enters. The women have come you know about how much he talked himself; but I in slowly, and stand close together near the door. thought maybe if I went to the house and talked about COUNTY ATTORNEY (at stove rubbing his hands). This feels it before his wife, though I said to Harry that I didn't good. Come up to the fire, ladies. know as what his wife wanted made much difference to John- MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward). I'm not-cold. COUNTY ATTORNEY. Let's talk about that later, Mr. Hale, I SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from do want to talk about that, but tell now just what hap- the stove to right of table as if to mark the beginning of pened when you got to the house.416 SUSAN GLASPELL TRIFLES $17 HALE. I didn't hear or see anything; I knocked at the door, and still it was all quiet inside, I knew they must be up, idea of going up there. I walked from there to here- it was past eight o'clock, So I knocked again, and I then I says, "Why, what did he die off" "He died of a thought I heard somebody say, "Come in." I wasn't rope round his neck," says she, and just went on pleatin' sure, I'm not sure yet, but I opened the door-this door at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I (indicating the door by which the two women are still thought I might-need help. We went upstairs and there standing) and there in that rocker-(pointing to it) sat he was lyin'- Mrs. Wright. (They all look at the rocker D. L.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. I think I'd rather have you go into that COUNTY ATTORNEY. What-was she doing? upstairs, where you can point it all out. Just go on now HALE. She was rockin' back and forth. She had her apron with the rest of the story, in her hand and was kind of-pleating it. HALE. Well, my first thought was to get that rope off. It COUNTY ATTORNEY. And how did she-look? looked . . . (stops, his face twitches) . . . but Harry, he HALE. Well. she looked queer. went up to him, and he said, "No, he's dead all right, and we'd better not touch anything." So we went back COUNTY ATTORNEY. How do you mean-queer? downstairs. She was still sitting that same way. "Has BALE. Well, as if she didn't know what she was going to anybody been notified?" I asked. "No," says she, uncon- do next. And kind of done up. cerned. "Who did this, Mrs. Wright?" said Harry. He COUNTY ATTORNEY (takes out notebook and pencil and sits said it business-like-and she stopped pleatin' of her left of center table). How did she seem to feel about apron. "I don't know," she says. "You don't know?" says your coming? Harry. "No," says she. "Weren't you sleepin' in the bed HALE. Why, I don't think she minded-one way or other. with him?" says Harry. "Yes," says she, "but I was on She didn't pay much attention. I said, "How do, Mrs. the inside." "Somebody slipped a rope round his neck Wright, it's cold, ain't it?" And she said, "Is it?"-and and strangled him and you didn't wake up?" says Harry. went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, I was sur- "I didn't wake up," she said after him. We must 'a' prised; she didn't ask me to come up to the stove, or to looked as if we didn't see how that could be, for after a set down, but just sat there, not even looking at me, so I minute she said, "I sleep sound." Harry was going to ask said, "I want to see John." And then she-laughed. I her more questions but I said maybe we ought to let her guess you would call it a laugh. I thought of Harry and tell her story first to the coroner, or the sheriff, so Harry the team outside, so I said a little sharp: "Can't I see went fast as he could to Rivers' place, where there's a John?" "No," she says, kind o' dull like. "Ain't he home?" telephone. says I. "Yes," says she, "he's home." "Then why can't I COUNTY ATTORNEY. And what did Mrs. Wright do when see him?" I asked her, out of patience. "'Cause he's she knew that you had gone for the coroner? dead," says she. "Dead?" says I. She just nodded her BALE. She moved from the rocker to that chair over there head, not getting a bit excited, but rockin' back and (pointing to a small chair in the D. R. corner) and just forth. "Why-where is he?" says I, not knowing what to sat there with her hands held together and looking down. say. She just pointed upstairs-like that. (Himself point- I got a feeling that I ought to make some conversation, ing to the room above). I started for the stairs, with the so I said I had come in to see if John wanted to put in a telephone, and at that she started to laugh, and thenTRIFLES $19 418 SUSAN GLASPELL TORNEY starts to wipe his hands on the roller towel, turns she stopped and looked at me-scared. (The COUNTY AT- TORNEY, who has had his notebook out, makes a note). it for a cleaner place). Dirty towels! (Kicks his foot I dunno, maybe it wasn't scared. I wouldn't like to say it against the pans under the sink). Not much of a house- was. Soon Harry got back, and then Dr. Lloyd came, keeper, would you say, ladies? and you, Mr. Peters, and so I guess that's all I know that MRS. HALE (stiffly). There's a great deal of work to be you don't. done on a farm. COUNTY ATTORNEY (rising and looking around). I guess COUNTY ATTORNEY. To be sure. And yet (with a little we'll go upstairs first-and then out to the barn and bow to her) I know there are some Dickson County around there. (To the SHERIFF). You're convinced that farmhouses which do not have such roller towels. (He there was nothing important here-nothing that would gives it a pull to expose its full length again.) point to any motive? MRS. BALE. Those towels get dirty awful quick. Men's SHERIFF. Nothing here but kitchen things. (The COUNTY hands aren't always as clean as they might be. ATTORNEY, after again looking around the kitchen, opens COUNTY ATTORNEY. Ah, loyal to your sex, I see. But you the door of a cupboard closet in R. wall. He brings a and Mrs. Wright were neighbors. I suppose you were small chair from R.-gets up on it and looks on a shelf. Pulls his hand away, sticky.) friends, too. MRS. HALE (shaking her head). I've not seen much of her COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here's a nice mess. (The women drato of late years, I've not been in this house-it's more than nearer U. c.) MRS. PETERS (to the other woman). Oh, her fruit; it did a year. COUNTY ATTORNEY (crossing to women u. c.). And why freeze. (To the LAWYER). She worried about that when it turned so cold, She said the fire'd go out and her jars was that? You didn't like her? would break. MRS. HALE. I liked her all well enough. Farmers' wives SHERIFF (rises). Well, can you beat the women! Held for have their hands full, Mr. Henderson. And then- murder and worryin' about her preserves. COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes-P COUNTY ATTORNEY (getting down from chair). I guess be- MRS. HALE (looking about) . It never seemed a very cheer- fore we're through she may have something more serious ful place. than preserves to worry about. (Crosses down R. C.) COUNTY ATTORNEY, No-it's not cheerful. I shouldn't say ALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles. (The she had the homemaking instinct. two women move a little closer together.) MRS. HALE. Well, I don't know as Wright had, either. OUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politi- COUNTY ATTORNEY. You mean that they didn't get on very clan). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend. He well? MRS. HALE, No, I don't mean anything. But I don't think goes below the center table to the sink, takes a dipperful a place'd be any cheerfuller for John Wright's being in it. of water from the pail and pouring it into a basin, washes his hands. While he is doing this the SHERIFF and HALE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'd like to talk more of that a little later. I want to get the lay of things upstairs now. (He cross to cupboard, which they inspect. The COUNTY AT-421 420 TRIFLES SUSAN GLASPELL goes past the women to U. R. where steps lead to a stair down, far in her hand. Goes to the sink and wipes it off door.) on the outside). She'll feel awful bad after all her hard work in the hot weather. I remember the afternoon I SHERIFF. I suppose anything Mrs. Peters does'll be all right. put up my cherries last summer. (She puts the far on the She was to take in some clothes for her, you know, and big kitchen table, center of the room. With a sigh, is a few little things. We left in such a hurry yesterday. about to sit down in the rocking chair. Before she is COUNTY ATTORNEY. Yes, but I would like to see what you seated realizes what chair it is; with a slow look at it, take, Mrs. Peters, and keep an eye out for anything that steps back. The chair which she has touched rocks back might be of use to us. and forth. MRS. PETERS moves to center table and they MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson. (The men leave by U. R. both watch the chair rock for a moment or two.) door to stairs. The women listen to the men's steps on MRS. PETERS (shaking off the mood which the empty rock- the stairs, then look about the kitchen.) ing chair has evoked. Now in a businesslike manner she MRS. HALE ( crossing L. to sink). I'd hate to have men com- speaks). Well, I must get those things from the front ing into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. room closet. (She goes to the door at the R., but, after (She arranges the pans under sink which the LAWYER looking into the other room, steps back). You coming had shoved out of place.) with me, Mrs. Hale? You could help me carry them. MRS. PETERS. Of course it's no more than their duty. (They go in the other room; reappear, MRS. PETERS (Crosses to cupboard u. R.) carrying a dress, petticoat and skirt, MRS. HALE follow- MRS. HALE. Duty's all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff ing with a pair of shoes). My, it's cold in there. (She that came out to make the fire might have got a little puts the clothes on the big table, and hurries to the of this on. (Gives the roller towel a pull). Wish I'd stove.) thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her MRS. HALE (right of center table examining the skirt). for not having things slicked up when she had to come Wright was close. I think maybe that's why she kept so away in such a hurry. (Crosses R. to MRS. PETERS at much to herself. She didn't even belong to the Ladies' cupboard.) Aid. I suppose she felt she couldn't do her part, and MRS. PETERS (who has been looking through cupboard, then you don't enjoy things when you feel shabby, I lifts one end of a towel that covers a pan). She had heard she used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, bread set. (Stands still.) when she was Minnie Foster, one of the town girls sing- MRS. HALE (eyes fixed on a loaf of bread beside the bread- ing in the choir. But that-oh, that was thirty years ago. box, which is on a lot shelf of the cupboard). She was This all you was to take in? going to put this in there. (Picks up loaf, then abruptly MRS. PETERS. She said she wanted an apron. Funny thing drops it. In a manner of returning to familiar things). to want, for there isn't much to get you dirty in jail, It's a shame about her fruit. I wonder if it's all gone. goodness knows. But I suppose just to make her feel (Gets up on the chair and looks). I think there's some more natural. (Crosses to cupboard). She said they here that's all right, Mrs. Peters. Yes-here; (holding was in the top drawer in this cupboard. Yes, here. And it toward the window) this is cherries, too. (Looking then her little shawl that always hung behind the door. again). I declare I believe that's the only one. (Gets422 SUSAN CLASPELL TRIFLES 423 (Opens stair door and looks). Yes, here it is. (Quickly shuts door leading upstairs.) of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against MRS. HALE (abruptly moving toward her). Mrs. Peters? her! MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mrs. Hale? (At u. R. door.) MRS. PETERS. But, Mrs. Hale, the law is the law. MRS. HALE. Do you think she did it? MRS. HALE, I s'pose 'tis. (Unbuttoning her coat). Better MRS. PETERS (in a frightened voice). Oh, I don't know. loosen up your things, Mrs. Peters. You won't feel them MRS. BALE. Well, I don't think she did. Asking for an apron when you go out. (MRS. PETERS takes off her fur tippet, and her little shawl. Worrying about her fruit. goes to hang it on chair back left of table, stands looking MRS. PETERS (starts to speak, glances up, where footsteps at the work basket on floor near D. L. window.) are heard in the room above, In a low voice). Mr. MRS. PETERS. She was piecing a quilt. (She brings the Peters says it looks bad for her. Mr. Henderson is awful large sewing basket to the center table and they look sarcastic in a speech and he'll make fun of her sayin' she at the bright pieces, MRS. BALE above the table and didn't wake up. MRS. PETERS left of it.) MRS. BALE. Well, I guess John Wright didn't wake when MRS. HALE. It's a log cabin pattern. Pretty, isn't it? I wonder they was slipping that rope under his neck. if she was goin' to quilt it or just knot it? (Footsteps MRS. PETERS (crossing slowly to table and placing shatel have been heard coming down the stairs. The SHERIFF and apron on table with other clothing). No, it's strange. enters followed by BALE and the COUNTY ATTORNEY.) It must have been done awful crafty and still. They say SHERIFF. They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just it was such a-funny way to kill a man, rigging it all knot it! (The men laugh, the women look abashed.) up like that. COUNTY ATTORNEY (rubbing his hands over the stove). MRS. HALE (crossing to left of MRS. PETERS at table). That's Frank's fire didn't do much up there, did it? Well, let's just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. go out to the barn and get that cleared up. (The men He says that's what he can't understand. go outside by u. L. door.) MRS. PETERS. Mr. Henderson said coming out that what MRS. HALE (resentfully). I don't know as there's any- was needed for the case was a motive; something to thing so strange, our takin' up our time with little things show anger, or-sudden feeling. while we're waiting for them to get the evidence. (She MRS. HALE (who is standing by the table). Well, I don't sits in chair right of table smoothing out a block with see any signs of anger around here. (She puts her hand decision). I don't see as it's anything to laugh about. on the dish towel which lies on the table, stands looking MRS. PETERS (apologetically). Of course they've got aw- down at table, one-half of which is clean, the other half ful important things on their minds. (Pulls up a chair messy). It's wiped to here. (Makes a move as if to finish and joins Mrs. BALE at the left of the table.) work, then turns and looks at loaf of bread outside MRS. BALE (examining another block). Mrs. Peters, look the breadbox. Drops towel. In that voice of coming back at this one. Here, this is the one she was working on, and to familiar things). Wonder how they are finding things look at the sewing! All the rest of it has been so nice and upstairs. (Crossing below table to D. R.) . I hope she had even. And look at this! It's all over the place! Why, it it a little more red-up up there, You know, it seems kind looks as if she didn't know what she was about! (AfterSUSAN GLASPELL TRIFLES 425 she has said this they look at each other, then start to ing some people have about cats-being afraid of them. glance back at the door. After an instant MRS. HALE My cat got in her room and she was real upset and asked has pulled at a knot and ripped the sewing.) me to take it out. MRS. PETERS. Oh, what are you doing, Mrs. Hale MRS. BALE. My sister Bessie was like that. Queer, ain't it? MRS. HALE (mildly). Just pulling out a stitch or two that's MRS. PETERS (examining the cage). Why, look at this not sewed very good. (Threading a needle). Bad sewing always made me fidgety. door, It's broke. One hinge is pulled apart. (Takes a step down to MRS. HALE's right.) MRS. PETERS (with a glance at door, nervously). I don't MRS. HALE (looking too). Looks as if someone must have think we ought to touch things. been rough with it. MRS. RALE. I'll just finish up this end. (Suddenly stopping MIS. PETERS. Why, yes. (She brings the cage forward and and leaning forward). Mrs. Peters? puts it on the table.) MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mrs. Hale? MRS. HALE (glancing toward u. L. door). I wish if they're MRS. HALE, What do you suppose she was so nervous about? going to find any evidence they'd be about it. I don't like MRS. PETERS. Oh-I don't know. I don't know as she was this place. nervous. I sometimes sew awful queer when I'm just MRS. PETERS. But I'm awful glad you came with me, Mrs. tired. (MRS. HALE starts to say something, looks at MRS. Hale. It would be lonesome for me sitting here alone. PETERS, then goes on sewing). Well, I must get these MRS. HALE. It would, wouldn't it? (Dropping her sewing). things wrapped up. They may be through sooner than But I tell you what I do wish, Mrs. Peters. I wish I had we think. (Putting apron and other things together). I come over sometimes when she was here. I-(looking wonder where I can find a piece of paper, and string. around the room)-wish I had. (Rises.) MRS. PETERS. But of course you were awful busy, Mrs. MRS. BALE. In that cupboard, maybe. Hale-your house and your children. MRS. PETERS (crosses R. looking in cupboard). Why, MRS. HALE ( rises and crosses L.). I could've come. I stayed here's a bird-cage. (Holds it up). Did she have a bird, away because it weren't cheerful-and that's why I ought Mrs. HaleP to have come. I-(looking out 1.. window)-I've never MRS. HALE. Why, I don't know whether she did or not- liked this place. Maybe because it's down in a hollow I've not been here for so long. There was a man around and you don't see the road. I dunno what it is, but it's last year selling canaries cheap, but I don't know as a lonesome place and always was. I wish I had come over to see Minnie Foster sometimes. I can see now- herself. she took one; maybe she did. She used to sing real pretty (Shakes her head.) MRS. PETERS (glancing around). Seems funny to think of a MRS. PETERS (left of table and above it). Well, you mustn't bird here. But she must have had one, or why would reproach yourself, Mrs. Hale. Somehow we just don't she have a cage? I wonder what happened to it? see how it is with other folks until-something turns up. MRS. HALE. I s'pose maybe the cat got it. MRS. HALE. Not having children makes less work-but it MRS. PETERS, No, she didn't have a cat. She's got that feel- makes a quiet house, and Wright out to work all day, and no company when he did come in. (Turning426 SUSAN GLASPELL TRIFLES 427 from window). Did you know John Wright, Mrs. Peters? MRS. PETERS. Not to know him; I've seen him in town. They away). There's something wrapped up in this piece of say he was a good man. silk. MRS. HALE. Yes-good; he didn't drink, and kept his word MRS. PETERS, Why, this isn't her scissors. as well as most, I guess, and paid his debts. But he was MRS. HALE (lifting the silk). Oh, Mrs. Peters-it's- (MRS. a hard man, Mrs. Peters. Just to pass the time of day PETERS bends closer.) with him- (Shivers). Like a raw wind that gets to the MRS. PETERS. It's the bird. bone. (Pauses, her eye falling on the cage). I should MRS. HALE. But, Mrs. Peters-look at it! Its neck! Look at its think she would 'a' wanted a bird. But what do you sup- neck! It's all-other side to. pose went with it? MRS. PETERS. Somebody-wrung-its-neck. (Their eyes MRS. PETERS. I don't know, unless it got sick and died. (She meet. A look of growing comprehension, of horror. Steps reaches over and swings the broken door, swings it again, are heard outside. MRS. BALE slips box under quilt pieces, both women watch it.) and sinks Into her chair. Enter SHERIFF and COUNTY AT- MRS. HALE. You weren't raised round here, were you? (MRS. TORNEY. MRS. PETERS steps D. L. and stands looking out PETERS shakes her head). You didn't know-her? of window.) MRS. PETERS. Not till they brought her yesterday. COUNTY ATTORNEY (as one turning from serious things to MRS. HALE. She-come to think of it, she was kind of like little pleasantries). Well, ladies, have you decided a bird herself-real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid whether she was going to quilt it or knot it? ( Crosses to and-fluttery. How-she did-change. (Silence; then as c. above table.) # struck by a happy thought and relieved to get back to MRS. PETERS. We think she was going to-knot it. (SHERIFF everyday things. Crosses R. above MRS. PETERS to cup- crosses to right of stove, lifts stove lid and glances at fire, board, replaces small chair used to stand on to its origl- then stands warming hands at stove.) nal place D. R.). Tell you what, Mrs. Peters, why don't COUNTY ATTORNEY, Well, that's interesting, I'm sure. (See- mind. you take the quilt in with you? It might take up her ing the bird-cage). Has the bird flown? MRS. HALE (putting more quilt pieces over the box). We MIS. PETERS. Why, I think that's a real nice idea, Mrs. think the-cat got it. Hale. There couldn't possibly be any objection to it, COUNTY ATTORNEY (preoccupied). Is there a cat? (Mrs. could there? Now, just what would I take? I wonder if BALE glances in a quick covert way at MRS. PETERS.) her patches are in here-and her things. (They look in MRS. PETERS (turning from window takes a step in). Well, the sewing basket.) not now. They're superstitious, you know. They leave. MHS. HALE ( crosses to right of table). Here's some red. I COUNTY ATTORNEY (to SHERIFF PETERS, continuing an in- expect this has got sewing things in it. (Brings out a terrupted conversation). No sign at all of anyone having foncy box). What a pretty box. Looks like something come from the outside. Their own rope. Now let's go up somebody would give you. Maybe her scissors are in again and go over it piece by piece. (They start up- here. (Opens box. Suddenly puts her hand to her nose). stairs). It would have to have been someone who knew Why- (MRS. PETERS bends nearer, then turns her face just the- (MRS. PETERS sits down left of table. The itco women sit there not looking at one another, but as if428 SUSAN CLASPELL TRIFLES 429 peering into something and at the same time holding MRS. PETERS. I know what stillness is. (Pulling herself back. When they talk now it is in the manner of feeling back). The law has got to punish crime, Mrs. Hale. their way over strange ground, as if afraid of what they are saying, but as if they cannot help saying it.) MRS. HALE (not as if answering that). I wish you'd seen MRS. BALE (hesitatively and in hushed voice). She liked the Minnie Foster when she wore a white dress with blue bird. She was going to bury it in that pretty box. ribbons and stood up there in the choir and sang. (A look around the room). Oh, I wish I'd come over here MRS. PETERS (in a whisper). When I was a girl-my kitten once in a whilel That was a crimel That was a crime! -there was a boy took a hatchet, and before my eyes- Who's going to punish that? and before I could get there- (Covers her face an in- stant). If they hadn't held me back I would have- MRS. PETERS (looking upstairs). We mustn't-take on. (catches herself, looks upstairs where steps are heard, MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know falters weakly)-hurt him. how things can be-for women. I tell you, it's queer, Mrs. MRS. HALE ( with a slow look around her). I wonder how it Peters. We live close together and we live far apart. We would seem never to have had any children around. all go through the same things-it's all just a different (Pause). No, Wright wouldn't like the bird-a thing that kind of the same thing. (Brushes her eyes, noticing the sang. She used to sing. He killed that, too. far of fruit, reaches out for it). If I was you I wouldn't tell her her fruit was gone. Tell her it ain't. Tell her it's the bird. MRS. PETERS (moving uneasily). We don't know who killed all right. Take this in to prove it to her. She-she may never know whether it was broke or not. MRS. HALE. I knew John Wright, MRS. PETERS (takes the jar, looks about for something to MRS. PETERS. It was an awful thing was done in this house wrap it in; takes petticoat from the clothes brought from that night, Mrs. Hale. Killing a man while he slept, the other room, very nervously begin. winding this of him. slipping a rope around his neck that choked the life out around the jar. In a false voice). My, it's a good thing the men couldn't hear us. Wouldn't they just laugh! Getting MRS. HALE. His neck. Choked the life out of him. (Her all stirred up over a little thing like a-dead canary. As hand goes out and rests on the bird-cage.) if that could have anything to do with-with-wouldn't MRS. PETERS (with rising voice). We don't know who they laugh! (The men are heard coming downstairs.) killed him. We don't know, MRS. HALE (under her breath). Maybe they would-maybe MRS. HALE (her own feeling not interrupted). If there'd they wouldn't. been years and years of nothing, then a bird to sing to COUNTY ATTORNEY. No, Peters, it's all perfectly clear except you, it would be awful-still, after the bird was still. a reason for doing it. But you know juries when it comes MRS. PETERS (something within her speaking). I know what to women. If there was some definite thing. (Crosses stillness is. When we homesteaded in Dakota, and my slowly to above table. SHERIFF crosses D. R. MRS. HALE first baby died-after he was two years old, and me with and MRS. PETERS remain seated at either side of table). no other then- Something to show-something to make a story about-a MRS. HALE (moving). How soon do you suppose they'll be thing that would connect up with this strange way of through looking for the evidence? doing it- (The women's eyes meet for an instant. Enter HALE from outer door.)TRIFLES 431 430 SUSAN CLASPELL BALE (remaining U. L. by door). Well, I've got the team quilt it. She was going to-what is it you call it, ladies? around. Pretty cold out there. MRS. BALE (standing c. below table facing front, her hand COUNTY ATTORNEY. I'm going to stay awhile by myself. against her pocket). We call it-knot it, Mr. Henderson. (To the SHERIFF). You can send Frank out for me, can't CURTAIN your I want to go over everything, I'm not satisfied that we can't do better. SHERIFF. Do you want to see what Mrs. Peters is going to take in? (The LAWYER picks up the apron, laughs.) COUNTY ATTORNEY. Oh, I guess they're not very dangerous things the ladies have picked out. (Moves a few things about, disturbing the quilt pieces which cover the box. Steps back). No, Mrs. Peters doesn't need supervising. For that matter a sheriff's wife is married to the law. Ever think of it that way, Mrs. Peters? MRS. PETERS. Not-just that way. SHERIFF (chuckling). Married to the law. (Moves to D. R. door to the other room). I just want you to come in here a minute, George. We ought to take a look at these windows. COUNTY ATTORNEY (scoffingly). Oh, windows! SHERIFF. We'll be right out, Mr. Hale. (HALE goes outside. The SHERIFF follows the COUNTY ATTORNEY into the other room. Then MRS. HALE rises, hands tight together, looking intensely at MRS. PETERS, whose eyes make a slow turn, finally meeting MRS. HALE'S. A moment MRS. HALE holds her, then her own eyes point the way to where the box is concealed. Suddenly MRS. PETERS throws back quilt pieces and tries to put the box in the bag she is carrying. It is too big. She opens box, starts to take bird out, cannot touch it, goes to pieces, stands there helpless. Sound of a knob turning in the other room. MRS. HALE snatches the box and puts it in the pocket of her big coat. Enter COUNTY ATTORNEY and SHERIFF, who remains D. R.) COUNTY ATTORNEY (crosses to U. L. door facetiously). Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to