mber
that I told you, and I know. His mind is a _living_ thing,
throbbing through his body and leaving him no shield of
flesh. O, mamma, help him! Promise me! You will never
forsake him?

Mrs. C. Never, my love.

Vir. I would not have told you, but my strength is gone, and
somebody must know,--somebody who is strong. (A gust
shakes the window) O, my darling! Out in that blackness
alone! And if I were there I could say nothing. That is
the pity of it, mamma. I have no words, and thought
without tongue is nothing so long as we are mortal and
wear these bodies. Some day it may be enough just to _be_
a soul, but not now--not now!

Mrs. C. O, my daughter!

Vir. Promise me, mamma, that if I die you will find Helen.
_She_ could help him!

Mrs. C. (Rising) Virginia, if you say another word like that I
shall think you are mad--or I am! (Bursts into weeping)

Vir. Darling, darling mother! Now I have given you all my
burdens you will grow weak under them, and I want
strength, strength by my side!

Mrs. C. (Calm) You must go to bed, dear. I will wait for Edgar.

Vir. No, no!

Mrs. C. I will coax him to eat something.

Vir. (Smiling sadly) Coax him, mamma?

Mrs. C. Yes, dear. Go now.

Vir. I can not.

Mrs. C. I command you, my daughter.

Vir. Please do not command me. You have never had to pardon
disobedience in me.

Mrs. C. Nor shall I have cause now. Obey me, Virginia.

Vir. Would you send me into hell, mother?

Mrs. C. Daughter!

Vir. That is what a bed is to me when Edgar is out like this.

Mrs. C. You make too much of these wanderings. Night and day are
alike to him.

Vir. Ah, it is not the night that I fear!... Go, mamma! It is
you who must rest. O, how we need these strong arms--this
clear head! I shall nod in my chair for the thought of you
getting your needed rest will bring the winks to my own
eyes. Come! (Draws her toward stairway) I promise you that
I will sleep in the big chair as snug and tight as kitty
herself. (Kisses her)

Mrs. C. (On the stairs) I can not leave my sick child to watch.
You ask me to do an inhuman thing, Virginia. I will not
go.

Vir. Mother!... Do