n there is a central creating
light that plays upon these color-beings with its own
transmuting--_'

(Re-enter Mrs. Clemm, bearing a tray)

Mrs. C. My dear, I've brought you some toast and an egg.

Poe. (Jumping up and staring at her) They don't eat toast and
eggs in the Kingdom of the Sun!

Mrs. C. Edgar!

Poe. Forgive me! It's just something I'm writing here. But for
God's sake take the stuff away!

(Mrs. Clemm turns to go, the tray trembling in her hands.
Poe runs to her and kisses her) You sweetest and best of
mothers, don't you see that if I eat this I'll spend the
next two hours digesting toast and eggs, and if I don't
eat it I'll be making our fortune, putting a roof over our
heads, and keeping our Virginia happy!

Mrs. C. I only meant to be kind, Edgar.

Poe. I know you did, and you're my darling mother,--but don't
be kind any more.

(Exit Mrs. Clemm. Poe sits despairingly at table. Enter
Ethel and Annie)

Eth. O, Edgar, where is Virginia? We want her to go nutting
with us.

Annie. We shall have her now! You shan't keep her all to yourself
just because you've married her!

Poe. Take her by all means!

Eth. You needn't be vicious about it. Where is she?

Poe. I don't know,--and pardon if I say that just at this
moment I don't care!

(Gathers up papers and goes toward stairway in corner of
room)

Annie. You needn't run from us. I'm sure we're glad to go. I'll
find Virginia.

Eth. And I'll write that note to Gladys while you're gone.
(Seats herself in Poe's chair. Exit Annie, left, rear)
Come back, if you want to, Edgar. You won't disturb me at
all. (Writes. Poe pauses on stairway and looks at her.
Ethel lifts her eyes) You needn't look so far to see me.
I'm not the North Pole! What _are_ you thinking of, Edgar?

Poe. Of what Anacreon said to a fly that lighted on his brow
when he was composing an ode to Venus.

Ethel. O! What was it?

Poe. Away, thou rude and slight impertinence,
That with thy puny and detested bill
Dost think to feed on immortality.

(Goes upstairs)

Ethel. Beast! (Writes) Virginia spoils hi