Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/358

352 and to be home again at last—to be in love with peace together—to love each other’s peace—to sleep with peace together—!

[She kisses him—then shuts her eyes with a deep sigh of requited weariness]

—to die in peace! I’m so contentedly weary with life!

[With a serene peace]

Rest, dear Nina.

[Then tenderly]

It has been a long day. Why don’t you sleep now—as you used to, remember?—for a little while?

[Murmurs with drowsy gratitude]

Thank you, Father—have I been wicked?—you’re so good—dear old Charlie!

[Reacting automatically and wincing with pain—thinking mechanically]

God damn dear old !

[Then with a glance down at face, with a happy smile]

No, God bless dear old Charlie who, passed beyond desire, has all the luck at last!

[ ''has fallen asleep. He watches with contented eyes the evening shadows closing in around them'']