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''very loud. The cheering from the observation trains can be heard'']

[Stares into her face with great pity now]

Merciful God, Nina! Then you’ve lived all these years—with this horror! And you and Darrell deliberately—?

[Without looking at him—to the air]

Sam’s mother said I had a right to be happy too.

And you didn’t love Darrell then—?

[As before]

I did afterwards. I don’t now. Ned is dead, too.

[Softly]

Only you are alive now, Father—and Gordon.

[Gets up and bends over her paternally, stroking her hair with a strange, wild, joyous pity]

Oh, Nina—poor little Nina—my Nina—how you must have suffered! I forgive you! I forgive you everything! I forgive even your trying to tell Madeline—you wanted to keep Gordon—oh, I understand that—and I forgive you!

[As before—affectionately and strangely]

And I forgive you, Father. It was all your fault in the