from a nearer point than
thirty-five million miles would utterly destroy so delicate an
instrument--my hair stood on end. I have watched it three
weeks--alone--and you ask me why I do not sleep!... Look!

(_The doctors spring up electrified, and stare at the instrument._)

_Philo_

There it is again! Two beats--then three--then two--then four--now it
is over!

(SEYMOUR _continues to stare at the instrument._ BELLOWS _subsides
into a chair, looking foolish._)

_Seymour_ (_to himself_)

Impossible!... (_To_ PHILO.) What was it you were saying? What
did you see?

_Philo_

I saw what you saw--signals from a distance farther than the distance
of the nearest planet to our earth.

_Seymour_ (_shaken_)

But I saw nothing. At least a slight movement in anything so sensitive
might be due to many causes....

_Philo_

Yes! It is always the old story. Truths must be hammered into humanity!
Branded in with flame, or driven in with sword and bullet!

_Bellows_ (_starting up alarmed_)

Hadn't we better be going, doctor?

_Philo_

Oh, no! Wait till you've talked me over. Decide whether I'm mad or not!
If I'm a menace to the community! If I must be locked up! My father and
mother are waiting to know. Don't go! Finish your work! (_Rushes into
room, left._)

_Bellows_ (_triumphantly to_ SEYMOUR)

Well?

(SEYMOUR _hesitates, looks at the father and mother, then at_
BELLOWS, _and takes out his match-case._)

_Bellows_ (_making a conquest of the obvious_)

Warner, a little of that fine cider of yours would just finish off our
chat.

_Warner_

Nothing better! (_Starting out, whispers to_ MRS. W.) Where's grandma's
silver pitcher?

_Mrs. W._

I'll get _that_.

(_They go down-stairs._)

_Bellows_ (_laughing_)

She never lets him go to the cellar by himself.

_Seymour_

Not a drinker, is he?

_Bellows_

Oh, no! The pattern of a deacon. But she keeps her hand on.

(SEYMOUR _lights a cigar thinkingly._)

_Bellows_

No use to go over this case. It's clear enough. We'll have our
cider--it's worth waiting for--then go to my office and fix up the
commitment papers.

_Seymour_ (_rubbing his hand slowly over his forehead_)

To talk with such a patient sometimes bewilders the brain. He seemed so
clear in his utterance--so rational----

_Bellows_

Funny, wasn't he? I almost believed it myself for a minute.

_Seymour_

It might be true.

_Bellows_

Hey?

_Seymo