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I am glad we had it out his ghost will be gone now  no more Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, love and praise and tears, all for Gordon! Mary will do very well by me I will have more leisure and peace of mind  and Nina will come back home  when she is well again  the old Nina! my little Nina! she knows and she forgave me she said so  said! but could she really? don’t you imagine? deep in her heart? she still must hate? oh, God! I feel cold! alone! this home is abandoned! the house is empty and full of death! there is a pain about my heart!

[’’He calls hoarsely, getting to his feet’’]

Nina!

[Her voice, fresh and girlish, calls from upstairs]

Yes, Father. Do you want me?

[Struggling with himself—goes to door and calls with affectionate blandness]

No. Never mind. Just wanted to remind you to call for a taxi in good time.

I won’t forget.

[’’Looks at his watch’’]

Five-thirty just nine-forty, the train  then  Nina no more! four hours more she’ll be packing  then good-bye  a kiss  nothing more ever to say to each other  and I’ll die in here some day  alone  gasp, cry out for help  the president will speak at the funeral  Nina will be