The Americans Part 26

But with this thing----

(_Indicating the cast_)

You're almost sure to find it.

SECOND SENTRY.

(_To First Sentry, evidently meaning Chadbourne_)

A d.a.m.n fool.

EGERTON.

Yes, we expect the signal any day.

(_Dicey, King, and Masters appear just inside the mill-yard and, catching the eye of the Chauffeur, point to Jergens, who, later, hands the gla.s.ses to the Chauffeur and goes to Dicey in the mill-yard_)

CHIEF OF POLICE.

The citizens had arranged a demonstration.

Flags were to go up that day and cannon boom, And Colonel Egerton was to make a speech.

EGERTON.

Yes, Clayton, and I'll tell them something, too.

CHIEF OF POLICE.

I guess they'll be ashamed to have it now.

EGERTON.

Why didn't you stay out on the mountains?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Well----

EGERTON.

Get tired?

JERGENS.

Chief!

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Can't say----

EGERTON.

Then what's the trouble?

(_The Chief of Police joins Jergens and with the three men they disappear in the mill-yard_)

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Well, you see, Mr. Egerton, it's this way: A man can piece together things like this, But somehow you can't get hold of that in here That goes to pieces when your faith breaks up.

EGERTON.

What do you mean?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

I never could find gold; It don't run in our family.

EGERTON.

Rather late In your discovery, it seems to me.

Why didn't you think of it when you first went out?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Well, you know how it is. You've seen a stone Hang on a mountain side for years sometimes; You don't know why; you just don't notice it Until some morning--jump! she thunders down And wakes a whole town up; then you remember.

(_He comes forward and looks off in the direction from which he came as though he were expecting someone_)

EGERTON.

(_To Chadbourne_)

A sort of luck, you see, this getting on.

CHADBOURNE.

Predestination.

EGERTON.

Yes; if a man's rich He couldn't help but be. There's some old lamp, An heirloom in his family, that he rubs.

And if he's poor, 'Hard luck.'

CHADBOURNE.

Or been 'ground down.'