back--

(_A man's voice from the chesterfield, facing fireplace, speaks:_)

VOICE. Ned, I want Ned--why in _Hell_ doesn't Ned answer?

ROSALIE (_in child's voice_). He wants to talk to Ned--is Ned here?

STANDISH. Ned who? Who is it? Who does he want to speak to?

ROSALIE (_in child's voice_). Tell Ned it is Spencer--Spencer wants
to tell Ned about the letters and the pain in the back--in the back.

STANDISH. What was in the back? (_There is no answer._) Ask him what was
in the back?

ROSALIE (_still using child's voice_). The knife--Ned--he wants Ned.

WALES. What do you want!

ROSALIE. A swimming pool--do not forget the swimming pool. Do not ever
forget--

WALES. You mean the time he went in after me when I was drowning? When
we were little boys? Is that what he wants me to remember?

ROSALIE. Spencer says he cannot rest--he wants to tell you it is hard to
reach--too far away--you promised--

WALES. Promised what? When did I promise!

ROSALIE. Your life saved--

WALES. Now I know--I told him I'd do anything in the world for him.
Spencer, of course, I remember--what do you want me to do?

ROSALIE. Find--find--

WALES. Do you want me to find the letters?

ROSALIE. In the back--someone came--someone came.

WALES. You're trying to tell who killed you?

ROSALIE. Ask--ask--ask.

WALES. You want me to ask questions? Is that it? You mean you can't talk
much?

ROSALIE. Too far away.

CROSBY. You know who killed you?

(_There is a pause, but no answer._)

ROSALIE. He says Ned, he wants Ned.

WALES. You want me to ask.

ROSALIE. He wants Ned to ask.

WALES. Do you know who killed you?

MRS. TRENT (_hysterically_). Oh, my God!

CROSBY. Keep still, Helen.

WALES. Can you tell the name? (ROSALIE _suddenly gives a long moan._)
Quick, the name, the name. Spencer, tell me who killed you--she's coming
out of her trance. I want the name. (ROSALIE _moans again. Her cry is
overtopped by a shriek from_ WALES.) Oh, my God! My back--oh! (_Then
there is a dead silence that lasts as long as it will hold._)

CROSBY. Wales, is anything the matter?

MRS. TRENT. Father, he's pulling at my hand.

CROSBY. The light, Will.

(WILLIAM _suddenly turns on the light at table._ WALES _is discovered
leaning forward, the circle is unbroken._)

MRS. TRENT. Look at him! Father! Look at him!

(CROSBY _drops_ ROSALIE'S _hand and springs forward towards_ WALES.
_At the same instant_ WALES _falls forward on his face