of what we’d say? BALDWIN : [ after a long pause ] Yes, John. JOHN : Well, nobody will ever know it. BALDWIN : Except the four of us.
JOHN : Yes, Father. ( Abruptly they separate. Evie weeps in silence. Martha, being less emotional, blows her nose noisily and fumbles with her knitting.
John scowls out of the window, and Baldwin, near the fireplace, clenches and unclenches his hands) Someone’s coming . Let’s understand better: Baldwin grows ashamed of the greed of his family. John has the courage to look at him straight in the eye. He compels Baldwin to accept the money offered by Gresham.
Let’s understand better: Baldwin feels ashamed of himself too. Mr. Marshall, the President of the Third National, another bank, comes to his house to convey an important news. 12th - - The Hour of Truth Page MARTHA : ( raising her head ) Who is it?
JOHN : I can’t see ( with sudden apprehension ) It looks like Mr. Marshall. BALDWIN : Mr. Marshall?
( The doorbell rings. He goes to a window commanding a view of the doorway .) It is Mr. Marshall. BALDWIN : It is Marshall.
MARTHA : The President of the Third National? BALDWIN : Yes. What does he want here? EVIE : Shall I show him in, Father?
BALDWIN : Yes, yes, by all means. ( Evie goes out .) MARTHA : ( crossing to him quickly ) Robert! Be careful of what you say; you’re to go on the stand tomorrow. BALDWIN : ( nervously ) Yes, yes, I’ll look out.
( Evie re-enters, opening the door for Marshall .) MARSHALL : ( coming into the room very buoyantly ) Well, well, spending the afternoon indoors? How are you, Mrs. Baldwin? ( He shakes hands cordially ) And you, Baldwin?
MARTHA : We were just going out. Come, Evie. Let’s understand better: Mr. Marshall informs Baldwin that Gresham had admitted his guilt, as he knew that Baldwin, being an honest and upright man, would never give false testimony.
MARSHALL : Oh, you needn’t