Strong: You realize—fully—you’re sending me—for always?
Rachel: Yes.
Strong: And you care?
Rachel: Yes.
Strong: It’s settled, then for all time—“Good-bye!”
Rachel (After a pause): Yes.
Strong (Stands looking at her steadily a long time, and then moves to the door and turns, facing her; with infinite tenderness): Good-bye, dear, little Rachel—God bless you.
Rachel: Good-bye, John! (Strong goes out. A door opens and shuts. There is finality in the sound. The weeping continues. Suddenly; with a great cry) John! John! (Runs out into the vestibule. She presently returns. She is calm again. Slowly) No! No! John. Not for us. (A pause; with infinite yearning) Oh! John,—if it only—if it only—(Breaks off, controls herself. Slowly again; thoughtfully) No—No sunshine—no laughter—always, always—darkness. That is it. Even our little flat—(In a whisper) John’s and mine—the little flat—that calls, calls us—through darkness. It shall wait—and wait—in vain—in darkness. Oh, John! (Pauses). And my little children! my little children! (The weeping ceases; pauses). I shall never—see—you—now. Your little, brown, beautiful bodies—I shall never see.—Your dimples—everywhere—your laughter—your tears—the beautiful, lovely feel of you here. (Puts her hands against her heart). Never—never—to be. (A pause, fiercely) But you are somewhere—and wherever you are you are mine! You are mine! All of you! Every bit of you! Even God can’t take you away. (A pause; very sweetly; pathetically) Little children!—My little children!—No more need you come to me—weeping—weeping. You may be happy now—you are safe. Little weeping, voices, hush! hush! (The weeping begins again. To Jimmy, her whole soul in her voice) Jimmy! My little Jimmy! Honey! I’m coming.—Ma Rachel loves you so. (Sobs and goes blindly, unsteadily to the rear doorway; she leans her head there one second against the door; and then stumbles through and disappears. The light in the lamp flickers and goes out.... It is black. The terrible, heart-breaking weeping continues).
The End
Transcriber’s Notes