ic.} Which means, Kate--try to do everything
I should have done in the happy life we might have
lived together, _(sits, Eric on settee, Kate C.)_

{Kate.} Yes, that's what I mean. And when you
find yourself getting very miserable, which means,
getting very weak, I want you to say to yourself--
"Eric, old fellow, pull up--you've got a true love
somewhere--you don't know where she is--but you'd
better do everything she bids you, for she's a
perfect tyrant" _(she breaks down, and stands C.)_

{Eric.} _(puts hat on chair)_ That's your last word,
Kate--this is mine.

_(MUSIC.)_

When I get away from India, on leave, I shan't know
where to bend my steps unless it's to the country that
holds my girl.

{Kate.} No, no. _(moves to table)_

_(Rises and crosses, both near table.)_

{Eric.} Ah, listen, _(he holds out his right hand
and traces upon it, as if it were a map, with his left)_
Suppose my hand's a map--there are lines enough
on it--and that you're dwelling in some pretty foreign
place, say _here_. Well, then, when you're _here_,
I could while away the time _there_, and if you're
weary of that one spot and run off to _there_, I could
pack up my bag and smoke my cigar _here_. You see,
darling? Never too near you, where I've no right,
but always about thirty or forty miles away. So
that in the twilights, which are long and saddening in
foreign places, you might sit and say to yourself, "I
don't want to meet Eric face to face, because he'd
remind me of old times and old troubles, but he's not
more than forty miles away, and he's thinking of his
dear love at this very moment."

_(MUSIC changes.)_

{Kate.} _(drawing her hand across her eyes)_ You
mustn't speak to me any more.

_(Eric takes his hat. Kate goes down to R., C.)_

{Eric.} Good-bye. _(looking in her face, trying to
smile)_ Why, I do believe I shall begin to write you
my Indian budget this very evening.

{Kate.} _(struggling with her tears)_ It doesn't
matter how long the letter is. Good-bye. _(she holds
out her hand, he walks down slowly and takes her
hand. There is a pause--softly)_ You are going
away--I can't help it.

_(MUSIC ceases.)_

_(She lays her head quietly upon his breast, he folds
his arms round