The Faith Healer Part 4

MICHAELIS.

I cannot think of you as anything but glad and free.

RHODA.

When you met me on the road, and walked home with me, and said those few words, it was as if, all of a sudden, the dead dream was shattered, and I began once more to live.

_Bell rings._

That is Aunt Mary's bell.

_Rhoda goes out by the hall door, wheeling the invalid chair.

Martha enters from the kitchen, carrying a steaming coffee-pot and a platter of smoking meat, which she places on the table. Michaelis bows to her._

MARTHA.

_Snappishly._

Hope you slept well!

_She goes to the outer door, rings the breakfast bell loudly, and exit to kitchen. Rhoda enters, wheeling Mrs. Beeler in an invalid chair. Mrs. Beeler is a woman of forty, slight of body, with hair just beginning to silver. Her face has the curious refinement which physical suffering sometimes brings. Annie lingers at the door, looking timidly at Michaelis, as he approaches Mrs. Beeler and takes her hand from the arm of the chair._

MICHAELIS.

You are better?

MRS. BEELER.

_Speaks with low intensity._

Much, much better.

_He puts her hand gently back on the chair arm. Martha enters with other dishes. She pours out coffee, putting a cup at each plate.

Mr. Beeler has entered from the kitchen, and the boy from outside.

Beeler, with a glance of annoyance at his wife and Michaelis, sits down at the head of the table. Rhoda pushes Mrs. Beeler's chair to the foot of the table and stands feeding her, eating her own breakfast meanwhile._

_Michaelis sits at Mrs. Beeler's right, Martha opposite. At Mr.

Beeler's right is the Indian boy, at his left Annie's vacant chair.

Martha beckons to Annie to come to the table, but the child, eyeing the strangers, refuses, taking a chair behind her mother by the mantelpiece. Mrs. Beeler speaks after the meal has progressed for some time in silence._

MRS. BEELER.

Mat, you haven't said good morning to our guest.

BEELER.

_Gruffly._

How are you?

_He helps himself to meat and pa.s.ses it to the others; the plate goes round the table. There is a constrained silence. Annie tugs at Rhoda's skirt, and asks in dumb show to have her breakfast given her. Rhoda fills the child's plate, with which she retreats to her place by the mantel._

MRS. BEELER.

Why doesn't Annie come to the table?

_She tries to look around. Rhoda whispers to Mrs. Beeler, who looks at her, puzzled._

_Why_ doesn't Annie come?

RHODA.

She's afraid.

MRS. BEELER.

Afraid! What is she afraid of?

RHODA.

You know how shy she is, before strangers.

MRS. BEELER.

Annie, please come here! Annie!

_The child refuses, pouting, and gazing at Michaelis._

RHODA.

I wouldn't urge her. She doesn't want to come.

MARTHA.

_Trenchantly._

Don't blame her!

MRS. BEELER.

_Gently reproving._

Martha!

MICHAELIS.

_Holding out his hand to Annie._