_Harvey Anderson, his hat pulled low over his eyes, sits with his back to the bedroom, staring at the stove. The only motion discernible is an occasional pressing of the lip when he bites his moustache. Later, Mrs. Egerton, careworn and evidently in deep distress, enters from the bedroom and starts to say something to Harvey Anderson, but decides not to. Instead she goes to the window and stands looking out as though she were anxiously waiting for some one._
It's after midnight, for the lights are out Down in the town. It must be after one.
(_Speaks back as though into the bedroom_)
You think the guard would let him come right through?
The snow's so deep upon the mountains, mother. And Sam and Chris--I know they'd hurry on-- They ain't come either.
It's getting colder. How's he seem to be?
There's very little change. What time is it?
(_Anderson goes to the woodbox and looks in_)
If I only knew! If I only knew he'd come!
(_She glances toward Mrs. Egerton, then goes quietly to the door, rear left, and looks out_)
I wish that there was something that I could do.
You made it plain that he must come at once?
Yes, Mrs. Egerton. I told the truth. Some think it's better to deceive. I don't. And I find that people thank you in the end.
Lie down a while, Won't you? I wish you would.
It's Mr. Bentley with the guard, I think.
(_Mrs. Egerton leaves the window and walks about the room_)
The stars are so low down, so beautiful; And the world so full of joy. Isn't it strange? To-day we're here and to-morrow somewheres else.
(_She stops by the bedroom door and stands looking in_)
And he loves you so. It's always 'mother' when he speaks at all; You and the mill.
And then you'll always know There's never been a man in Foreston Been loved as he has been.
But he's so young! And his work--He'd just begun. So little chance!
I've nursed so many cases of old men, And men in prosperous circumstances, too, Who've had no friends at all, just relatives.
And friends are so much closer, don't you think?
Has he never, never mentioned Donald's name In his delirium?
But then you know Those first weeks at the Hospital were a blank, Or almost so. And then when he came to After the operation----
I being a stranger, just a nurse, you know. In delirium of course it's different. But then I'd left the case.