After a few
seconds' pause the bell rings. She jumps up excitedly._] That must be
he,--Annie--go quick. [ANNIE _crosses and opens the door in the usual
manner._
JIM'S VOICE. [_Outside._] Is Miss Murdock in?
ANNIE. Yassuh, she's in.
LAURA _is up stage and turns to receive visitor._ JIM _enters. He is
nicely dressed in black and has an appearance of prosperity about him,
but in other respects he retains the old drollness of enunciation
and manner. He crosses to_ LAURA _in a cordial way and holds out his
hand._ ANNIE _crosses, after closing the door, and exits through the
portieres into the sleeping-apartment._
JIM. How-dy-do, Miss Laura?
LAURA. Jim Western, I'm mighty glad to see you.
JIM. Looks like as if you were going to move?
LAURA. Yes, I am going to move, and a long ways, too. How well you're
looking,--as fit as a fiddle.
JIM. Yes; I am feelin' fine. Where yer goin'? Troupin'?
LAURA. No, indeed.
JIM. [_Surveying the baggage._] Thought not. What's comin' off now?
[_Takes off coat, puts coat and hat on trunk._
LAURA. [_Very simply._] I'm going to be married this afternoon.
JIM. Married?
LAURA. And then I'm going West.
JIM. [_Leaving the trunk, walking toward her and holding out his
hands._] Now I'm just glad to hear that. Ye know when I heard how--how
things was breakin' for ye--well, I ain't knockin' or anythin' like
that, but me and the missis have talked ye over a lot.
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