PETER. [Trying to detain the DOCTOR—tugging at his shawl without seeming to pull it.] Don't give up! Don't give up! A girl can always change her mind—while there's life. Don't give up! [The DOCTOR turns, facing PETER, looking directly at him as he puts his hand in his coat pocket.] You heard that, eh?… Didn't you? Yes? Did it cross over?… What?… It did?… You're looking me in the face, Andrew; can you see me? [The DOCTOR takes a pencil out of his pocket, writes a prescription, throws his shawl over his shoulder—turning his back towards PETER and facing CATHERINE.] Tc! Tc! Tc!
DR. MACPHERSON. Good-night.
CATHERINE. Good-night. [CATHERINE goes quietly to the fireplace, kneeling down, mends the fire, and remains there sitting on an ottoman.
PETER. [Calling after the DOCTOR.] If I could only make some sign—to start you thinking; but I can't depend upon you, I see that…. [Then changing—as though he had an idea.] Ah, yes! There is another way. Now to work. [With renewed activity, he taps in the direction of the office door, although he himself stands three feet away from it. The door opens promptly and JAMES appears on the threshold—pen in hand—as though something had made him rise suddenly from his desk. CATHERINE, still seated, does not see JAMES, who stands looking at her—remembering that she is to be married on the following day. PETER tempts JAMES.] Yes, she is pretty, James … young and lovely…. Look!… There are kisses tangled in her hair where it curls … hundreds of them…. Are you going to let her go? Her lips are red with the red of youth. Every smile is an invocation to life. Who could resist her smiles? Can you, James? No, you will not let her go. And her hands, James…. Look! Hands made to clasp and cling to yours. Imagine her little feet trudging happily about your home…. Look at her shoulders … shaped for a resting-place for a little head…. You were right, James, we should ask nothing of our girls but to marry the men they love and be happy wives and happy mothers of happy children. You feel what I am saying…. You couldn't live without her, could you? No? Very well, then—[Changing abruptly.] Now, it's your turn.
JAMES pauses a moment. There is silence. Then he comes forward a step and CATHERINE, hearing him, turns and rises.
JAMES. [Coldly—respectfully.] Miss Grimm …
CATHERINE. James …
JAMES. I felt that you were here and wished to speak to me. I—I don't know why …
PETER. Good for James.
CATHERINE. [Shaking hands with him.] I'm very glad to see you again,
James. [When PETER sees that he has brought the two young people
together, he stands in the background. The lovers are in the shadow, but
PETER'S figure is marked and clear.] Why did you go away?