Picturesquely visible among the trees of a grove
appears a small, rustic cottage, curiously interwoven
of bark, vines, boughs, leaves, and flowers--a building
which seems to have grown from the conditions
and the colors of the grove. The sea and the sails
show beyond, through the trees. In the distant perspective
can be seen the city on the hill; in the intervale,
the foliage, flowers, fields, as before.
The hour approaches sunset. A deep rich glow
mellows and melts the outlines of every object.
(_Spirits pass and repass in the distance._)
_Enter_ DR. THORNE _and_ HARVEY, _conversing
in low tones_.
_Enter_ NORAH _and_ JERRY.
JERRY. The brim of the avenin’ to yez, Doctor! Och! but this is a foine
counthree now.
NORAH (_happily_). Me father is getting acquainted here.
JERRY. I’m about to discover where the ... angels ... I’m at.
DR. THORNE (_smiling_). You’ve got ahead of me then, Jerry.
[_Exeunt_ NORAH _and_ JERRY.
DR. THORNE (_to_ HARVEY). And why, for instance, was I directed or
allowed to take that astronomical tour before I had investigated my
immediate surroundings?
HARVEY. A patient may _ask_ questions. In your experience, did you
always answer them?
_Enter_ LADDIE (_running after his father,
whose hand he hurries to catch and
clasp_).
DR. THORNE (_pointing to the architecture beyond_). And those public
buildings yonder--what do you call them?
HARVEY. Those are our institutions of education and of mercy. They are a
great pleasure to us. We have our temples, colleges, music halls,
libraries, schools of science, hospitals, galleries of art, as a matter
of course. What did you _suppose_ we did with our intellects and our
leisure?
DR. THORNE. I never supposed anything on the subject. I never thought
about it.
HARVEY. Precisely. You are very ignorant--for a man of your gifts. Now,
our hospitals--
DR. THORNE. Pray do not mock me, Doctor Harvey. If you _had_ a hospital,
you could find me something to do. The humiliating idleness of this
place crushes me. I seem to be of no more use here than a paralytic
patient was in my own charity ward at home. I am become of no more
social importance than the janitor or the steward used to be. I am of no
consequence. I am not in demand. No person desires my services. The
canker of idleness eats upon me. Here, in this world of spirits, I am an
unscientific, useless fellow. If you have anything whatever in the shape
of a hospital, I beg you to find me employment in it. At least, I could
keep the temperature charts, if I am not to be trusted with any cases.
HARVEY (_smiling sadly_). Your cure proceeds but slowly, my patient. I
did not think you were a _dull_ man. Must you be taught the elements?
Our sick are not of the body, but are sick of soul. Our patients are
chiefly from among the newly arrived who are at odds with the spirit of
the place; hence, they suffer discomfort. Can _you_ administer holiness
to a will and heart diseased?
(DR. THORNE _shakes his head; bows it in bitter silence. He stands lost
in thought. As he does so, sunset deepens to twilight on the land._
LADDIE _drops his father’s hand; plays among the annunciation lilies_.
HARVEY, _with a courtly salute, retires. He does not speak further to_
DR. THORNE.)
[_Exit_ HARVEY.
LADDIE (_breaks one of the tall lily-stalks--gently, for a boy. As he
does so, the cup opens, and a little white bird flies out, hangs poised
in the air a moment_). Oh, the beautiful! (_Catches the bird, which he
handles tenderly._) Papa! Papa! I went to pick a lily, and I picked a
bird! Oh, Papa, what a pretty country!
DR. THORNE (_smiling in spite of himself_). Come here, my lad.
(_Caresses the child with pathetic gratitude._) If it were not for you,
little man-- (_Bows his face on the child’s head._)
(_The twilight changes slowly to moonlight._)
LADDIE (_restlessly_). I must go find Maidie and show her my white bird.
They didn’t grow in her street.
DR. THORNE (_anxiously_). Don’t go far, my child. You might lose your
way.
LADDIE (_with a peal of laughter_). We never lose our way in this nice
country.
[_Exit_ LADDIE.
(DR. THORNE _paces the path desolately; does not speak. As the moonlight
brightens, groups of spirits stroll among the fields and trees. These
walk often two by two. They are, and yet are not, like earthly lovers.
They murmur softly, and express delight to be together; and some of them
go hand in hand, or with arms intertwined. But a beautiful reserve
pervades their behavior. Faintly from beyond arise the strains of the
Serenade of Schubert’s, played with extreme softness and refinement, but
with a depth of emotion which carries the heart before it._ DR. THORNE
_listens to the music. The sails quiver on the distant water, and faint
figures can be seen moving on the beach. The passion flowers salute each
other. The great Serenade plays on._)
_Enter_ MRS. FAYTH. (_Her smiling face
is grave, or even a little sad. She is
moved by the music, and seems to sway
towards it._ DR. THORNE _holds out
his hand to her_. MRS. FAYTH _extends
her own, confidingly. The two stand
listening to the music, like comrades
bereft of other ties; on her face rests
a frank, affectionate expression; on
his a desolate leaning towards the
nearest sympathy. They glance at
the spirits who are strolling two by
two through the celestial evening. The
music is suspended._)
DR. THORNE (_moodily_). This foreign country would be lonelier without
you, Mary Fayth.
MRS. FAYTH (_frankly_). Of course it would!... It is a lovely thing that
we died together.... It has been a comfort to me, Doctor.
DR. THORNE. And to me.... Helen would be pleased.... Helen might like to
have it so, I’ve thought ... if she thinks of me at all.
MRS. FAYTH (_quickly_). She thinks of nothing but you ... all the time.
DR. THORNE (_eagerly_). How do you know? Have you been there? Can _you_
see Helen?
MRS. FAYTH (_mysteriously smiling_). Don’t ask me!...
DR. THORNE (_imperiously_). When was it? How did you get there? How did
she look?--Is she well?--Did she look very wretched? Were her lips pale?
Or only her cheeks? Does she weep much? Can she sleep?--Is she living
quite alone?--Oh, how does she bear it? (_He trips upon his words, and
stops abruptly._)
(_A strain from the Serenade breathes, and sighs away._)
MRS. FAYTH (_gently but evasively_). My poor friend!
(DR. THORNE _and_ MRS. FAYTH _unclasp hands, and stand side by side,
silently in the moonlight. A certain remoteness overtakes their manner.
Each is drowned in thought in which the other has no share. The Serenade
is heard again._ MRS. FAYTH, _with a mute, sweet gesture of farewell,
glides gravely away_. DR. THORNE _does not seek to detain her_.)
[_Exit_ MRS. FAYTH.
(_The Serenade plays on steadily._)
DR. THORNE (_puts his hands to his ears, as if to shut out the music,
which falls very faintly as he speaks_). Between herself and me the
awful gates of death have shut. To pass them--though I would die again
to do it--to pass them for one hour, for one moment, for love’s sake,
for grief’s sake--or for pity’s own--I am forbidden. (_Breaks off._) ...
Her forgiveness! Her forgiveness! The longing for it gnaws upon me....
Oh, her unfathomable tenderness--passing the tenderness of women!--It
would lean out and take me back to itself, as her white arms took me to
her heart--when I came home--after a hard day’s work--tired out....
Helen! _Helen!_
(_The music strengthens as he ceases to speak; then faints again._)
DR. THORNE (_moans_). For very longing for her, I would fain forget
her.... No! No! No! (_Starts._) Never would I forget her! To all
eternity would I think of her and suffer, if I must, because I think of
her.... I ... love her ... so.
(_The Serenade ceases slowly, and sighs away._)
(DR. THORNE _stands with the moonlight on his face. It is rapt, and
carries a certain majesty._)
(_Spirits pass. Some of them glance at him, with wonder and respect. No
one addresses him. He stands like a statue of strong and noble solitude.
He does not perceive the presence of any spirit._)
_Enter_ The Child. (_Runs to his father.
Springs into his arms._)
THE CHILD. Lonesome, Papa? I will comfort you.
DR. THORNE (_clasps the boy, who seems half-overcome with sleepiness.
Lays him gently on the grass_). Go to sleep, my child. It is growing
late. (LADDIE _drops asleep_.)
DR. THORNE (_continues to speak, for his emotion bears him on_). I did
not expect to live when I was dead. I lived--I died--and yet I live. I
did not think that love would live when breath was gone. I loved--I
blasphemed love--I breathed my last--and still I love. If this be
true--_any_thing may be true-- (_breaks off_). God! It may be years
before I can see her face--twenty years--thirty-- (_groaning_)--_Whence_
came the love of man and woman, that it should outlive the laws of
Nature, and defy dissolution, and outlast the body, and curse or bless
the spirit? If love can live, anything can live. Since this
is--_any_thing may be-- (_Falters; glances about; finds himself quite
alone with the sleeping child; lifts his eyes to the sky, and then his
hands; stands irresolute. Then slowly, reluctantly, still standing
manfully upright, with a touching embarrassment._)
DR. THORNE (_prays_). Almighty God!--if there be a God Almighty. Reveal
thyself to my immortal soul!--if I have a soul immortal.
* * * * *
(_The moonlight fades into a dark midnight. The figure of_ DR. THORNE
_disappears in it_.)
(_Dawn comes on subtly, but at once, for the nights and days of Paradise
are not governed by the laws of earth, and day breaks splendidly over
the heavenly world._)
_Enter the_ Two Children (_playing with
flowers, and tasting fruit_).
LADDIE. How did you like coasting down that waterfall on rainbows?
MAIDIE. I want that butterfly--with fire on it.
LADDIE. Don’t be stupid, because you’re dead! That is a flower. (_Picks
a flower in the shape of a butterfly with jeweled wings; hands it to the
girl._) No, it won’t fly. It isn’t grown up yet.
MAIDIE. Shall I fly when I’m grown up? I’ve got wings, too. (_Shows her
feet, on the heels of which a tiny pair of wings appear._)
LADDIE (_jealously_). I didn’t know you had them. That’s why you can
jump over things and get ahead of me.
_Enter_ DR. THORNE _and_ MRS. FAYTH.
MRS. FAYTH. Doctor, I don’t know what ails me. Perhaps it’s a symptom--a
moral symptom--but I can’t help thinking of Cleo. I wonder--
DR. THORNE (_with reserve_). I do not care to speak of the woman.
MRS. FAYTH. You are right. But I did not mean to be wrong. (I think it
must have been a symptom.) It’s the first time I’ve felt nervous since I
died. I beg your pardon.
LADDIE (_running to meet them_). Papa! Maidie’s got wings on her feet.
Why don’t _I_ have some? Papa! Papa! Come into your new house. It grew
up out of the woods--like--like acorns.
DR. THORNE (_addressing_ MRS. FAYTH, _looking towards the cottage_). It
is a shelter for the child, at all events. Quite in accordance with my
present social position in this place--a mere cottage--but it makes him
a home, poor little fellow!
MRS. FAYTH. It’s just what Helen would like. She hates palaces.
DR. THORNE (_starts as if stabbed; makes no reply_).
LADDIE (_suddenly_). Oh, Papa, Mrs. Fayth’s got wings on her feet, too.
Her dress covers them up. I like her better than I did that lady you
were so cross to.
MRS. FAYTH (_laughing_). I am so well!--oh, so well! I am a-shamed to be
so happy! I walk on air. I float on clouds. I move on waves. All nature
seems to be under my feet, and her glory in my heart.... Poor Doctor!
(_Breaks off and looks at him with quick sympathy._) And yet I tru-ly
think you im-prove in spirits. You don’t look armed to the teeth, all
the time--now.
DR. THORNE (_smiles cheerfully_). A man must respect law, whatever state
he is in. I would conform to the customs of this place, so far as I can.
I would do this for the boy’s sake, at least. I don’t wish to be a
disgrace to him in this system of things.
MRS. FAYTH. Does Doctor Harvey treat you by scien-ti-fic ev-olu-tion?
That’s a man’s way. It’s a pretty slow one.
LADDIE (_insistently_). Papa, she _has_ got wings on her feet.
MRS. FAYTH (_blushing_). Go away and play, children.
(_The children run to the cottage. The little girl bounds before, with a
light, flying motion. They play in the cottage at “keeping house,”
running in and out._)
(_Suddenly a change takes place upon the landscape. Its colors soften
and melt. Flying tints, like light broken through many prisms, float
upon the white flowers, rest upon the annunciation lilies, and
delicately touch the white robe of_ MRS. FAYTH. _In fact, the whole
atmosphere takes on the appearance of a vast rainbow. Music from the
temple sounds clearly._)
VOICES (_can be heard singing_):--
“Thou that takest away the
Sins of the world!”
MRS. FAYTH (_starts with a listening, devout expression_). Do you hear
that?... Oh, watch, Doctor! Watch for what will happen!
(_Spirits can be seen suddenly moving from all directions. They hurry,
and exhibit signs of joyful excitement. The singing continues;
repeats_:--
“Thou that takest away the
Sins of the world!”)
(_Now over the brilliant landscape falls a long, sharp, strange shadow.
It is seen to be the shadow of a mighty cross, which, if raised upright,
would seem to reach from earth to heaven. The children run back from the
cottage._)
LADDIE. Papa! who is worship? Is it a kind of game? Papa, what is Lord?
Is it people’s mother? What is it for?
DR. THORNE (_with embarrassment_). Alas, my boy, your father is not a
learned man.
LADDIE (_imperiously_). Teach me that pretty song! I cannot sing it. All
the other children can--
VOICES (_chanting_):--
“Thou givest,
Thou givest,
Eternal life!”
DR. THORNE (_sadly_). My son, I cannot sing it, either.
LADDIE (_with reproach, and with a certain dignity_). Father, I wish you
_were_ a learned man. (_Walks away from his father; goes up the path.
The little girl follows him._)
(_The evidences of public excitement increase visibly. From every part
of the country spirits can be seen moving, with signs of acute pleasure.
Some hasten towards the Temple; others gather in groups in the roads and
paths; all present a reverent but joyful aspect._)
MRS. FAYTH (_gliding away_). I cannot lose a moment. (_Beckons to_ DR.
THORNE _as she moves out of the grove and up the path. Calls._) Doctor!
Doctor!
DR. THORNE (_shakes his head_). I do not understand.
(MRS. FAYTH _remains still full in sight, standing as if to watch a
pageant or to see the prominent figure of a procession_.)
(LADDIE _runs on beyond her, watching eagerly; shades his eyes with his
little hand_.)
(MAIDIE _flits along with him_.)
(DR. THORNE _stands quite alone. He, too, shades his eyes with his
hand, and scans the horizon and the foreground closely._)
(_The shadow of the great cross falls upon him where he stands._)
(_It can now be seen that the happy people beyond give evidence of
greeting some one who is passing by them. Some weep for joy; others
laugh for rapture. Some stretch their arms out as if in ecstasy. Some
throw themselves on the ground in humility. Some seem to be entreating a
benediction. But the figure of Him who passes by them remains invisible.
The excitement now increases, and extends along the group of spirits
until it reaches those in the foreground. Here can now be seen and
recognized some old patients of_ DR. THORNE’S--MRS. TRUE, NORAH, _and_
JERRY.)
(_These wear the golden cross upon the breast._ HARVEY _enters
unnoticed, and mingles with the crowd. He stands behind_ MRS. FAYTH,
_who remains rapt and mute, full in the light. She has forgotten_ DR.
THORNE.)
(DR. THORNE _watches the scene with pathetic perplexity. He does not
speak._)
(_The chanting continues, and the strain swells louder._)
[Illustration:
_dolce._
Thou that tak-est a-way the sins of the
world! And givest, and giv-est e-ter-nal life!
]
(_Now the Invisible Figure makes the impression of having reached the
nearer groups._)
(NORAH _falls upon her knees_.)
(JERRY _salutes respectfully, as if he recognized a dear and honored
employer whom he wished to serve and please_.)
(MRS. TRUE _reaches out her arms with reverent longing_.)
(MAIDIE _kisses her little hands to the Unseen_.)
(HARVEY _stands devoutly with bowed head_.)
(MRS. FAYTH _holds out both hands lovingly. Then she sinks to the ground
upon her knees and makes the delicate motion of one who puts to her lips
the edge of the robe of the Unseen Passer. Her whole expression is
rapturous._)
(LADDIE, _breaking away from his elders, now boldly steps out into the
path. He looks up; shades his eyes, as if from a brilliance; then
confidingly puts out his hand, as if he placed it in an Unseen Hand, and
walks along, smiling like a child who is led by One whom he trusts and
loves._)
DR. THORNE (_in distress_). I see nothing!--No one! I am blind--blind!
(_Chanting._)
“Thou that takest away
The sins of the world!” ...
(DR. THORNE _covers his face. The music ceases. The air grows dimmer
than twilight. But there is no moon, nor is it dark. The groups in the
foreground move away in quiet happiness, like those who have had their
heart’s wish granted._)
(_Harvey_, MRS. TRUE, NORAH, JERRY, _and_ MAIDIE _mingle with the other
spirits_.)
(MRS. FAYTH _rises from her knees; melts slowly in the dusk_.)
(LADDIE _runs into the grove, and disappears in the gloom. He acts as if
looking for some one._)
DR. THORNE (_remains alone. He paces the grove, irresolute--then
suddenly turns in the direction whence the Invisible had come; walks
uncertainly up the path; searches, as if for signs of the Passer;
examines the grass, the shrubbery; touches the flowers, to see if they
had bent beneath His feet; stoops; examines the pathway reverently;
speaks in a low tone_). The footprint! I have found the footprint! There
_was_ One passing. And He stepped here. But I was blind! (_Hesitates;
lifts his face to the sky; drops it to his breast; murmurs
inarticulately. Then slowly--as if half his nature battled with the
other half, and every fibre of his being yielded hard--he drops upon his
knees. He remains silent in this posture._)
(_From the depth of the grove behind_ DR. THORNE’S _cottage_,)
_Enter_ CLEO _stealthily_. (_She watches_
DR. THORNE _with an expression in
which love, fear, reproach, and astonishment
contend. She makes no
sign, nor in any way is her presence
revealed to_ DR. THORNE. _Taking a
few steps forward, she touches the
shadow of one arm of the mighty
cross._ CLEO _retreats in confusion_.)
_Enter_ The Child (_running down the
path_). Papa! Papa! (_Points up the
path. Beckons to his father. Points
ecstatically._) Look, look, Papa!
(DR. THORNE _arises to his full height; looks where_ The Child
_points_.)
(_Slowly and solemnly_,)
_Enter_ JESUS THE CHRIST. _(Our Lord
appears as a majestic figure, melting
of outline, divine of mien, with arms
outstretched in benediction._)
(CLEO _at sight of the_ Sacred Figure _wrings her hands in anguish, and
makes as if she would flee; but remains gazing at the Vision, as if
compelled by forces unknown to her. As the Vision draws nearer_, CLEO
_drops upon her face. Her long hair covers her. All her contours blur
into the increasing shadow. The scene is now quite dark, except for the
light which falls from the_ PERSON OF OUR LORD. _This shall fully
reveal_ THE MAN, _who falls at the feet of the Vision, and_ THE CHILD,
_who stands entranced, with his little arms around his father’s neck._)
DR. THORNE (_lifts his hands rapturously_). I _was_ blind--But, now, I
see! (_Accepts and remains in the attitude of worship as manfully as he
had refused it._)
(THE SACRED FIGURE _stirs, as if to meet the kneeling man; slowly dims,
melts, and fades; vanishes_.)
END OF SCENE III.