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He SPLASHES towards the bank.

SECOND BOY

To the madhouse?

POACHER

There and back again, with coin to show for our troubles.

Here, boy, catch.

A THUMP as the bag hits the SECOND BOY; he clutches it, reluctantly. Muttering:

SECOND BOY

And here we bloody go . . . .

They SPLASH away. A rumble of THUNDER. It starts to RAIN HEAVILY.

FADE UP the rain, until it becomes louder than the river.

TABLEAU THIRTEEN: LESSON THE THIRD—RED ALL OVER

MODIFY to become the sound of RAIN on PURL’S OFFICE WINDOWS. There’s a KNOCK at the door.

PURL

Come in.

MRS. BENTHAM and JACK enter.

MRS. BENTHAM

See who’s come to see you, Doctor.

PURL

(Rises)

The famous Stephen. To what do I owe this visit?

JACK

Your roses bloomed. I’ve brought you some.

PURL

Well.

(Takes them; at a loss)

I suppose I’d better

put these in water.

MRS. BENTHAM

I’ll do that.