The Flutter of the Goldleaf; and Other Plays Part 11

Oh, you look just as you did then--so happy! I nearly died when I came home and saw the change in your face. It seemed to shut me out, like a great iron door. Philo.... You won't forget again?

_Philo_

Never!

_Reba_

And I may come every day?

_Philo_

Every day!

_Reba_

I'll help you, Philo. I'll give you all my hair. (_Lays her head on his shoulder._) And I'll let you work and not think of me at all. You can live with your stars----

_Philo_ (_kissing her_)

There are no stars!

_Reba_ (_laughing_)

I'll never be jealous again! (_Gets up._) Come! Let's see what the d.i.n.ky thing is doing!

(_Goes to table._ PHILO _watches her, slowly repeating her name._)

_Reba_

What a little thing it is! And--there _is_ something fluttering!

(PHILO _crosses, still seeing nothing but the girl._)

_Reba_

See--I'm trying to count--two--three----

(_He looks down, and becomes transfixed._)

_Philo_

Oh, my G.o.d! They've changed the signal!... Look, Reba! Count the beats!

Count for me! Count!

_Reba_ (_confused_)

Two--three--no, four----

_Philo_

Can't you _count_? Get away! (_Pushes her aside._) Two--three--four--three-- They have _changed_ it! Oh, I must answer!

_Reba_

Philo----

_Philo_

Go down!

_Reba_ (_clinging to him_)

I won't--I won't----

_Philo_ (_putting her in a chair_)

Sit there, then. And for G.o.d's sake be still! (_Returns to machine and counts under his breath._) It is true--it is true--and I am not ready! I am dumb, like all the world! I cannot let them know! (_Walks the floor, muttering_) But I will--I must. (_Crosses to window._) I must do it!--think of nothing else--nothing! I shall not sleep till it is done!... But they will call me mad--lock me up before I have finished, G.o.d, before I have finished!

_Reba_

Philo, listen!

_Philo_

It's the world's way ... to beat the spirit down ... the eager spirit, superbly sane, daring to pierce the barriers between heaven and earth!

_Reba_

I'll not sit here! (_She sits nevertheless._)

_Philo_

Oh, Truth-driven martyrs, seers of visions, prophets of the old world and the new, born out of your time to suffer by fire, by sword, and prison bars!

_Reba_ (_cooingly_)

Dear Philo!

_Philo_

I too shall join you! Forerunners of the waking spirit of the world!

(REBA _gets before him as he walks. Completely absorbed, he puts her aside, absently but gently, as if she were a kitten he did not wish to hurt._)

_Philo_

I must finish it--I must--before they beat me down! (_Pauses by machine._) There is no one but me to do it. If I fail they may have to wait another million years--out there--working, waiting. (_Resumes walk._) I shall not fail. I have gone too far. G.o.d will take my part now. Be it His own eternal sign, I will answer it!