Scene 8
(Enter ABIGAIL and INSPECTOR LESTRADE.)
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
I don't believe it.
MRS. HUDSON:
Then call in a pawn broker to look at it through his loupe. Here it is, plain as day.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
And you say you found it in the coal scuttle?
MRS. HUDSON:
Tell the inspector, Miss Evanston.
HOPE:
That's right, sir. The one by the fireplace in the parlor. It must have… slipped its setting when I took the necklace off.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
You mean to tell me it never left the room after all?
HOPE:
Such a silly mistake, us thinking it was stolen! But of course Miss Kirkwood had nothing to do with it. And I am so relieved to have it safely returned.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
I'm sure. You must be very grateful to Mrs. Hudson.
HOPE:
Oh, indeed, Inspector. Good help can be so hard to find.
MRS. HUDSON:
Good folk to work for too.
(Exit HOPE.)
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
My men turned this house inside out looking for that thing!
ABIGAIL:
It was blacked up by the soot, sir. You must have overlooked it.
MRS. HUDSON:
I'm no detective, but I know coal dust is a right devil that way. Try scrubbing it off a parlor ceiling sometime.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
If I didn't know better, Mrs. Hudson, I think you were telling me a tale.
MRS. HUDSON:
My word, sir! Why on earth would I do a thing like that? I only meant to show you Miss Kirkwood had nothing to do with it. She could never have hidden it in that coal scuttle if she'd been sent out of the room.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
Hmm, just so. But I think that Holmes is rubbing off on you anyway.
MRS. HUDSON:
I'm no detective yet, Inspector.
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
That's not the way I mean. Anyhow, I suppose that concludes this business here. And… you still won't tell Mr. Holmes about his broken titers?
MRS. HUDSON:
What broken titers, sir?
INSPECTOR LESTRADE:
Right, then. Give him my regards, when at last he turns back up.
(Exit INSPECTOR LESTRADE.)
ABIGAIL:
I still think it's right rotten that Miss Hope won't get what she deserves.
MRS. HUDSON:
Sure and no mistake. But take heart, my dear. She'll have troubles of her own to manage, if her family has their way.
ABIGAIL:
Still, the world's not fair, Mrs. Hudson. Not for girls like us.
MRS. HUDSON:
Not since the beginning of it. But at least our Susan won't fall into the trap this time.
(Enter SUSAN.)
MRS. HUDSON:
There she is now! Susan? Have you got all you need, my girl?
SUSAN:
I think so, Mrs. Hudson. My things are packed. Though I don't know what I'll do now. I haven't got another place.
ABIGAIL:
Even so, Susan. Anywhere's better than here, working for that Miss Hope.
MRS. HUDSON:
Don't you worry, dear. We'll find you a place in a better house. I've seen to it that Miss Hope will write you a most excellent character.
SUSAN:
I don't know how you managed it, Mrs. Hudson. Clearing my name, and seeing that the house helped me on my way. How ever did you learn detective work? From Mr. Sherlock Holmes?
MRS. HUDSON:
Not a whit. Like I've been saying all along— I'm no detective, miss, just a housekeeper. But I know my stuff. Other folk may look down their noses, but I know what it's worth.
SUSAN:
I don't know how to thank you, Mrs. Hudson. And you, Abigail, for sticking up for me. I can't bear to think that would have happened without you.
ABIGAIL:
As Mrs. Hudson said— we working women must look out for one another.
MRS. HUDSON:
Only remember that, the next time you run across some scullery maid or shopgirl in a spot of trouble.
SUSAN:
I will. You can be certain of that.
(Exit SUSAN.)
ABIGAIL:
I won't forget it neither.
MRS. HUDSON:
Sounds as if you already knew.
ABIGAIL:
Only now I won't think twice before I show up.
MRS. HUDSON:
That's right. Now come along, Abby, my dear. Let's find us a nice cup of tea, and then back to it.
ABIGAIL:
Back to it? But we've only just finished here.
MRS. HUDSON:
I know, I know. But you know how it is. A woman's work is never done.
OUTRO MUSIC.
CURTAIN