A Man of the People Part 2

[_With a snort of anger, the_ DOCTOR _throws his lancet into his saddle-bags, snaps them together, and starts for the gate._]

ABE

[_Following the_ DOCTOR _to gate._]

Doctor----!

DOCTOR

 

What do ye want----?

ABE

[_Seizing his hand._]

Please don't go--I'm mighty sorry we made ye mad--I didn't go to do it--you see----

[_He falters._]

I love my Ma so, I just couldn't see ye cut her arm open. And Pa didn't mean to hurt yer feelin's--won't ye stay and help us? Can't ye do somethin' else for her----?

[_Pauses._]

I'll pay ye----! I'll work for ye a whole--year----

DOCTOR

You'd work for me a year?

ABE

[_Eagerly._]

I'll work for ye _five_ years if you'll just save her--just save her life--that's all--don't go--please, don't----

DOCTOR

[_The_ DOCTOR _slips his arm around the boy, draws him close and holds him a moment._]

You're a good boy, Abe----

ABE

You'll stay----?

DOCTOR

I'd stay and do something if I could, Sonny, but to tell ye the truth, I don't know what to do--I'm not quite sure I'm right about the bleedin', or I'd stay and make you both help me----

[_He pauses._]

But I'm not sure----! I'm not sure! And I don't know what else to do--I've got no medicine--so I can't stay. All I can tell ye is to keep her warm--and give her everything good to eat that she can take--she's in G.o.d's hands--Good-by----

[_The_ DOCTOR _hurries through the gate--and leaves_ ABE _and_ TOM _gazing forlornly after him, as_ SARAH _comes from the house._]

SARAH

I've got the towel and bowl all ready----

[_Pauses._]

What's the matter----?

[_Looks around._]

Where's the doctor----?

ABE

He's gone----

SARAH

Gone----?

TOM

Yes----

[NANCY _enters by door of cabin._]

[NANCY'S _sudden appearance in the door swings_ ABE _around with a quick cry of pain. The sun is tinging the eastern sky with the splendor of an Indian Summer morning. The mother's figure in blue homespun suggests against the dark background of the cabin door the coming of a spirit from the unseen world. She pauses a moment in the doorway and smiles at her son._]

ABE

Oh, Ma, you mustn't----

TOM

[_Following._]

Nancy----!

NANCY

I'm better, I'm a lot better----

ABE