Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/503

 who better than I could feel the broken heart behind that cry. I know what floods of sorrow still surge within, even though you have learned to weep without tears.

Ann.—It ought to be easier for you to be reconciled to your lot, since your beloved doctor died in your arms.

Julia.—Are you not reconciled to yours? Your doctor told me—Oh, if he would only keep his distance!—He said, “I know you Lash sisters.” He recalls how you treated him once, and how you treat him now. He has faith that he will conquer me the same way in time. He says that he shall have me, and he knows us. Do you understand him?

Ann.—The dupe! I swear that I never felt for the man one spark of love.

Julia.—But you married him, even while you loved another.

Ann.—You have no right You were a mere tadpole then, and you could not possibly understand

Julia (Gently).—Oh, yes I can! I remember what happened, and I can interpret with my mature experience. My dear little Annie (Kisses her)How often as a child I had stood behind the door and heard you both. And when he was leaving how I would run lest I should be caught eavesdropping. I trembled, my hands were ice, and my eyes were swimming in tears. But one thing I could never make out. No sooner had he run away, than, like a bolt out of a clear sky, you up and married the other man.

Ann.—Julia, for the love of God, don’t refer to that again! These shadows of the past let them darken my life. You have shadows enough of your own. Let me bear my own burdens.

Julia.—My beloved also went away forever—not into the world, as yours had, but out of it.

Ann.—And your boy has no father.

Julia.—Ann (Then in an altered tone full of dismay and suspicion.) Ann!

Ann.—Stop! Don’t say it! Don’t even dare to think it! (She takes face between her hands and looks into her eyes searchingly.)

(Enter, with a basket of herbs. She is terribly excited. She stumbles through the wicket into the garden, breathless.)

Granny.—Lord Jesus!

Andrew (Startled).—So, so, and while you were about it you might have called on the Virgin Mary for me! (Muttering) The old witch is enough to scare the soul out of a man’s body.