I thought of that; but it would not be ready in time.
CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. The judgment has come. Courage will not save
you; but it will show that your souls are still live.
MRS HUSHABYE. Sh-sh! Listen: do you hear it now? It's
magnificent.
They all turn away from the house and look up, listening.
HECTOR [gravely]. Miss Dunn, you can do no good here. We of this
house are only moths flying into the candle. You had better go
down to the cellar.
ELLIE [scornfully]. I don't think.
MAZZINI. Ellie, dear, there is no disgrace in going to the
cellar. An officer would order his soldiers to take cover. Mr
Hushabye is behaving like an amateur. Mangan and the burglar are
acting very sensibly; and it is they who will survive.
ELLIE. Let them. I shall behave like an amateur. But why should
you run any risk?
MAZZINI. Think of the risk those poor fellows up there are
running!
NURSE GUINNESS. Think of them, indeed, the murdering blackguards!
What next?
A terrific explosion shakes the earth. They reel back into their
seats, or clutch the nearest support. They hear the falling of
the shattered glass from the windows.
MAZZINI. Is anyone hurt?
HECTOR. Where did it fall?
NURSE GUINNESS [in hideous triumph]. Right in the gravel pit: I
seen it. Serve un right! I seen it [she runs away towards the
gravel pit, laughing harshly].
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