The Flutter of the Goldleaf; and Other Plays Part 5

_Seymour_ (_shaken_)

But I saw nothing. At least a slight movement in anything so sensitive might be due to many causes....

_Philo_

Yes! It is always the old story. Truths must be hammered into humanity!

Branded in with flame, or driven in with sword and bullet!

_Bellows_ (_starting up alarmed_)

Hadn't we better be going, doctor?

_Philo_

Oh, no! Wait till you've talked me over. Decide whether I'm mad or not!

If I'm a menace to the community! If I must be locked up! My father and mother are waiting to know. Don't go! Finish your work! (_Rushes into room, left._)

_Bellows_ (_triumphantly to_ SEYMOUR)

Well?

(SEYMOUR _hesitates, looks at the father and mother, then at_ BELLOWS, _and takes out his match-case._)

_Bellows_ (_making a conquest of the obvious_)

Warner, a little of that fine cider of yours would just finish off our chat.

_Warner_

Nothing better! (_Starting out, whispers to_ MRS. W.) Where's grandma's silver pitcher?

_Mrs. W._

I'll get _that_.

(_They go down-stairs._)

_Bellows_ (_laughing_)

She never lets him go to the cellar by himself.

_Seymour_

Not a drinker, is he?

_Bellows_

Oh, no! The pattern of a deacon. But she keeps her hand on.

(SEYMOUR _lights a cigar thinkingly._)

_Bellows_

No use to go over this case. It's clear enough. We'll have our cider--it's worth waiting for--then go to my office and fix up the commitment papers.

_Seymour_ (_rubbing his hand slowly over his forehead_)

To talk with such a patient sometimes bewilders the brain. He seemed so clear in his utterance--so rational----

_Bellows_

Funny, wasn't he? I almost believed it myself for a minute.

_Seymour_

It might be true.

_Bellows_

Hey?

_Seymour_

Perhaps we are all somnambulists moving about in this dream-world we call practical life. Behind this tough matter that takes so many shapes and colors, what strange secrets are hidden, just beginning to reach our dull senses--X-rays, radium emanations, wireless waves.

_Bellows_

Oh, they're natural enough now. Common sense has adopted them.

_Seymour_

Yes, we are easily satisfied. Give a mystery a name and that's enough for the most of us. But here and there are minds that must explore further; and if they discover something beyond the comprehension of us who stay behind, we call them mad.

_Bellows_

Well, none of your mind-puzzles for me. Give me something clear cut, like typhoid, or measles, an amputation, or new babies, something I can fix my eyes on. You can take care of the madmen--except when they're in my own village. I'm not going to have a boy like Philo gibbering around ready to break out wild any time.

_Seymour_

It's true he may be led into frenzy, or even self-destruction, but it will be from overwork and loneliness. I must have a talk with the parents----

_Bellows_

What do you expect _them_ to do? They're asking us for help. And _I'm_ willing to give it to them.

(_Re-enter_ WARNER _and_ MRS. W. _He carries pitcher, she carries tray with gla.s.ses._)

_Seymour_ (_to_ BELLOWS)