Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/508

 happen to us all, if A question cannot be entirely indifferent to me a man, asking his cousin, my husband, if I am married

Fable.—And your being that cousin’s wife is that matter of indifference to you?

Ann.—You used to be chivalrous!

Julia.—Ann!

Fable.—God forbid, Mrs. Karvan, that I should willingly touch a sensitive spot. I am a friend of the family.

Julia.—My dear sister, where are you to get the strength you will need!

Ann.—Don’t be afraid, Julia. See, I am myself again. You shall see with what perfect poise I can behave.

(At this moment there comes an impatient knocking at the old man’s window.)

Ann.—Oh, Lord!

Julia (Calling, as knocking continues).—Andrew! Andrew! (To, who enters right.) Hurry, hurry, Andrew—grandfather is awake.

Andrew.—That’s why I am always at hand, my lady. (Enters cottage and strikes a light.)

Ann.—Does he always act like this?

Julia.—If some one should not come at once, he’d break the pane. He has done it more than once. He is terribly frightened of the dark.

Fable.—And he is always so

Julia.—He is not so cross as he used to be. He is more like a child. He often cries, and last night he could not go to sleep for sheer joy. He was so excited over the approach of St. John’s eve, his name day! And over today’s picnic! God knows how he keeps track of the day, but he does. This morning he was up early to see the procession from the gymnasium pass by. And now he is waiting for the excursion to come back.

Fable.—He still thinks he is the mayor?

Julia.—Andrew has to bring him the papers to sign every day. Any old wrapping paper satisfies him. He doesn’t know any difference.

( enters with lamp in one hand and a table spread in the other.)

Granny.—Are we to have supper out here tonight?

Ann (Confused).—What’s that? (Recovering) Oh, supper! To be sure. Here as usual on St. John’s for grandfather’s