Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/337

Rh

[Passionately]

Dear one! Sweetheart!

Madeline! I love you!

[Looking at them—gaily mocking—thinking]

Once I’d have felt jealous cheated  swindled by God out of joy! I would have thought bitterly, “The Gordons have all the luck!” but now I know that dear old Charlie  yes, poor dear old Charlie!—passed beyond desire, has all the luck at last!

[Then matter-of-factly]

But I’ll have to interrupt their biological preparations there are many things still to be done this evening  Age’s terms of peace, after the long interlude of war with life, have still to be concluded  Youth must keep decently away  so many old wounds may have to be unbound, and old scars pointed to with pride, to prove to ourselves we have been brave and noble!

[''He lets the shears drop to the ground. They jump startledly and turn around. He smiles quietly'']

Sorry to disturb you. I’ve been picking some roses for your mother, Gordon. Flowers really have the power to soothe grief. I suppose it was that discovery that led to their general use at funerals—and weddings!

[He hands a rose to ]

Here, Madeline, here’s a rose for you. Hail, Love, we who have died, salute you!

[''He smiles strangely. She takes the rose automatically, staring at him uncomprehendingly'']