(Cheers and pleased reactions from the crowd.)

MRS. BLAIR

Would you care to finish off the pickled apricots, Mr. Brady?

(BRADY takes them.)

BRADY

It would be a pity to see them go to waste.

MRS. BRADY

Matt, do you think—

BRADY

Have to build up my strength, Mother, for the battle ahead. (Munching thoughtfully) Now what will Drummond do? He’ll try to make us forget the lawbreaker and put the law on trial. (He turns to RACHEL) But we’ll have the answer for Mr. Drummond. Right here, in some of the things this sweet young lady has told me.

RACHEL

But Mr. Brady—

(BRADY turns to BROWN.)

BRADY

A fine girl, Reverend. Fine girl!

(RACHEL seems tormented, but helpless.)

BROWN

Rachel has always been taught to do the righteous thing.

(RACHEL moves off.)

BRADY

I’m sure she has.

(MELINDA hands him a glass of lemonade.)

BRADY

Thank you. A toast, then! A toast to tomorrow! To the beginning of the trial and the success of our cause. A toast, in good American lemonade!

(He stands lifting his glass. Others rise and join the toast. BRADY downs his drink.)

MRS. BRADY

Mr. Mayor, it’s time now for Mr. Brady’s nap. He always likes to nap after a meal.

MAYOR

We have a suite ready for you at the Mansion House. I think you’ll find your bags already there.

BRADY

Very thoughtful, considerate of you.

MAYOR

If you’ll come with me—it’s only across the square.

BRADY

I want to thank all the members of the Ladies’ Aid for preparing this nice little picnic repast.

MRS. KREBS

(Beaming)

Our pleasure, sir.

BRADY

And if I seemed to pick at my food, I don’t want you to think I didn’t enjoy it. (Apologetically) But you see, we had a box lunch on the train.

(There is a good-humored reaction to this, and the BRADYS move off accompanied by the throng of admirers, singing “It is good enough for Brady.” Simultaneously the lights fade down on the courthouse lawn and fade up on the courtroom area. HORNBECK saunters on, chewing at an apple. He glances about the courtroom as if he were searching for something. When RACHEL hurries on, HORNBECK drops back into a shadow and she does not see him.)

RACHEL

(Distressed)

Mr. Meeker. Mr. Meeker? (She calls down toward the jail) Bert, can you hear me? Bert, you’ve got to tell me what to do. I don’t know what to do—

(HORNBECK takes a bite out of his apple. RACHEL turns sharply at the sound, surprised to find someone else in the courtroom.)

HORNBECK

(Quietly)

I give advice, at remarkably low hourly rates.

Ten percent off to unmarried young ladies,

And special discounts to the clergy and their daughters.

RACHEL

What are you doing here?

HORNBECK

I’m inspecting the battlefield

The night before the battle. Before it’s cluttered

With the debris of journalistic camp-followers.

(Hiking himself up on a window ledge)

I’m scouting myself an observation post

To watch the fray.

(RACHEL starts to go off)