Helena—[Dropping her hands to her sides.] Come here, Gheid Storm—[Gheid approaches slowly, like a sleep walker]. Put your hand on me. [He does so as if in a dream.] So! [She looks first at his hand, then into his face, making it quite plain that he does not even know how to touch a woman.] Yet you would be my lover, knowing not one touch that is mine, nor one word that is mine. My house is for men who have done their stumbling.
Storm—[In an inaudible voice.] I am going now——
Helena—I cannot touch new things, nor see beginnings.
Storm—Helena! Helena!
Helena—Do not call my name. There are too many names that must be called before mine.
Storm—Shall I die, and never have known you?
Helena—Death, for you, will begin where my cradle started rocking——
Storm—Shall I have no love like yours?
Helena—When I am an old woman, thinking of other things, you will, perhaps, be kissing a woman like me——
Storm—[Moving blindly toward the door.] Now I am going.