Page:Poet Lore, volume 29, 1918.pdf/112

 Second Gentleman.—Little, and yet it signifies much. And because it does mean a great deal after all, I must leave

Mistress.—You leave, if the stars will not shine. Doesn’t that seem an odd reason to you?

Second Gentleman.—It cannot be a surprise that I am leaving. It should have been more of a surprise, that I stayed so long. Not that I would not recognize the urgency of leaving. But a man so persistently puts off urgency to another day. Always something in us hopes even when there is no basis for hope.

Mistress.—There is always a basis for hope.

Second Gentleman.—Do you say that, my lady? And do you know what you say with those words?

Mistress.—I say, according to my notion, the stars will shine tonight.

Second Gentleman.—They shall glow! How they shall glow (He pauses suddenly)—But how about the other one!

Mistress.—Have no fear. There is no one else.

Second Gentleman.—Have no fear? And he always before my eyes? He is with you. And

Mistress.—Please, do not go on. You speak of the dead. One must say only good things of them.

Second Gentleman.—Are you sure it is of the dead?

Mistress.—Don’t you believe?

Second Gentleman.—If only I could believe!

Mistress.—Do try. (Steps are heard, then a knock.)

Second Gentleman.—The dead one is returning.

Mistress.—Enter.

First Gentleman (Steps up to ; observes guest, and stands undecided; then bows silently).—Madame! (Bows.) Sir!

( bows.)

Mistress (Peevishly).—You are very good to come. We are talking about the stars.

Second Gentleman (With sarcastic note).—I am, I believe, superfluous here

Mistress (Charmingly).—You are not the one who is useless here (To ). We were speaking of the stars. Doesn’t this theme interest you?