MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson. (The women listen to the men’s steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)

MRS. HALE. I’d hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing. (She arranges the pans under sink which the Lawyer had shoved out of place.)

MRS. PETERS. Of course it’s no more than their duty.

MRS. HALE. Duty’s all right, but I guess that deputy sheriff that came out to make the fire might have got a little of this on. (Gives the roller towel a pull.) Wish I’d thought of that sooner. Seems mean to talk about her for not having things slicked up when she had to come away in such a hurry.

A possible advantage of hearing this scene, as opposed to reading it silently, is that