The Faith Healer Part 39

Good morning.

MARTHA.

_Pointing at his hat and knapsack._

Hope you ain't off. Don't mind sayin' the way you acted was human decent, sendin' for Doctor when you found the baby wa'n't dead, an' you wa'n't no healer any more.

MICHAELIS.

Is it any better?

_Martha makes a disconsolate gesture, implying that there is little or no hope. Michaelis turns away with bent head. Annie enters from the kitchen. Michaelis holds out his hand to her, and she takes it with shy hesitation._

MARTHA.

Guess you'd like to know where Rhody is, wouldn't you? She's where she's been all night,--out yonder with the sick folks.

MICHAELIS.

What is she doing there?

MARTHA.

Feedin' 'em, first off, an' then heart'nin' of 'em up. That's a purty hard job, I reckon; but it's the way o' women when they feel like she does.

_Michaelis sinks in a chair, drawing Annie to him. Mrs. Beeler's bell rings; Martha goes out by the hall door. Annie watches his bent head in silence for a moment._

ANNIE.

Are you ever going up again, on the rope?

MICHAELIS.

_Not remembering._

On the rope?

ANNIE.

You know ... the magic rope.--Ain't you ever going to climb up in the sky again?

MICHAELIS.

_Recollecting._

Never again, Annie. Never again.

ANNIE.

Have you got the rope still?

MICHAELIS.

No, I have lost it.

ANNIE.

Won't you ever find it?

MICHAELIS.

It can only be found by some one who will know how to use it better than I did.

ANNIE.

How better?

MICHAELIS.

By some one who can climb up, toward the sun and the stars, and yet never leave the earth, the cities, and the people.

ANNIE.

Then he'll have to take them up with him.

_Michaelis nods for yes._

Gracious!

_She runs to the porch door to meet Rhoda, who appears outside._

Cousin Rhoda! What do you think he says about the magic rope?

RHODA.

What, Annie?

ANNIE.

He says that first thing you know, everything will be going up in the air, towns and people and everything.

RHODA.

Does he?

ANNIE.

_Runs out into the hall, balancing her arms above her head and gazing up laughingly._