Love's Comedy Part 20

LIND.

And long. I went to bed in such depression, And yet with such a fever in my brain, I almost doubted if I could be sane.

FALK.

Ah yes, a sort of witchery, you see.

LIND.

Thank G.o.d I woke in perfect self-possession.

[During the foregoing scene STRAWMAN has been seen from time to time walking in the background in lively conversation with ANNA; MRS. STRAWMAN and the children follow. MISS JAY now appears also, and with her MRS. HALM and other ladies.

MISS JAY [before she enters].

Ah, Mr. Lind.

LIND [to FALK].

They're after me again!

Come, let us go.

MISS JAY.

Nay, nay, you must remain, Let us make speedy end of the division That has crept in between your love and you.

LIND.

Are we divided?

MISS JAY [pointing to ANNA, who is standing further off in the garden].

Gather the decision From yon red eyes. The foreign mission drew Those tears.

LIND.

But heavens, she was glad to go--

MISS JAY [scoffing].

Yes, to be sure, one would imagine so!

No, my dear Lind, you'll take another view When you have heard the whole affair discussed.

LIND.

But then this warfare for the faith, you know, Is my most cherished dream!

MISS JAY.

O who would build On dreaming in this century of light?

Why, Stiver had a dream the other night; There came a letter singularly sealed--

MRS. STRAWMAN.

It's treasure such a dream prognosticates.

MISS JAY [nodding].

Yes, and next day they sued him for the rates.

[The ladies make a circle round LIND and go in conversation with him into the garden.

STRAWMAN [continuing, to ANNA, who faintly tries to escape].

From these considerations, daughter mine, From these considerations, b.u.t.tressed all With reason, morals, and the Word Divine, You now perceive that to desert your Call Were absolutely inexcusable.

ANNA [half crying].

Oh! I'm so young--

STRAWMAN.

And it is natural, I own, that one should tremble to essay These perils, dare the lures that there waylay; But from doubt's tangle you must now break free,-- Be of good cheer and follow Moll and me!

MRS. STRAWMAN.

Yes, your dear mother tells me that I too Was just as inconsolable as you When we received our Call--

STRAWMAN.

And for like cause-- The fascination of the town--it was; But when a little money had come in, And the first pairs of infants, twin by twin, She quite got over it.

FALK [sotto voce to STRAWMAN].

Bravo, you able Persuader.

STRAWMAN [nodding to him and turning again to ANNA].

Now you've promised me, be stable.

Shall man renounce his work? Falk says the Call Is not so very slender after all.

Did you not, Falk?

FALK.

Nay, pastor--

STRAWMAN.

To be sure--!

[To ANNA.

Of something then at least you are secure.

What's gained by giving up, if that is so?

Look back into the ages long ago, See, Adam, Eve--the Ark, see, pair by pair, Birds in the field--the lilies in the air, The little birds--the little birds--the fishes--

[Continues in a lower tone, as he withdraws with ANNA.

[MISS JAY and the AUNTS return with LIND.

FALK.

Hurrah! Here come the veterans in array; The old guard charging to retrieve the day!

MISS JAY.

Ah, in exact accordance with out wishes!

[Aside.

We have him, Falk!--Now let us tackle her!

[Approaches ANNA.

STRAWMAN [with a deprecating motion].

She needs no secular solicitation; The Spirit has spoken, what can Earth bestead--?

[Modestly.

If in some small degree my words have sped, Power was vouchsafed me--!