Lucia
(Ashamed a little.) Listen! (They listen. The waves of the sea are audible beating against the outer walls.) You hear?
Paulo
(Patiently.) I hear, but I do not understand. It is the water only——
Lucia
(Lower.) The rising water. (Pauses, while passing hand over her forehead.) Nor do I understand. It is my weakness, I suppose. All women have something that makes them fear without a reason, and this is mine——
Paulo
(Protectively.) For which I love you all the more. For had you reasoned you would not have married me. (To himself.) Strange, strange.… (Recovers gaiety and turns to picture.) See how it grows, Lucia. All that I scraped out yesterday I have repainted. Long before the Competition Day I shall have finished it. (Enthusiastically.) Look!
Lucia
The glow, the warmth, the colour—you’ve caught it all?