Father Benedict—Thank God it's not in yours. (A pause.)
Abbot— You must go down.
Oswald, by noon, will have finished up his work.
Stay with him till he does, then bring him back.
Louis—If I go now, though, Benedict will suspect
Something is up.
(The Abbot goes toward the steps, Louis half following him.)
As it is, he does not know
That Oswald has returned to work. (A pause.) Besides,
After his long, hard ride he will want rest.
He will not go near the church. (A pause.)
What do you say? (A pause.)
I will go after service.
Abbot— (After a pause.) Very well.
(He enters the chapel, followed by Louis.)
SCENE THREE—A street in the village showing a low thatched cottage with a door made accessible by steps. To the left of the door is a small square open window, on the sill of which are garden plants and pots of winter flowers put there to get the morning sun. In the corner of the yard, right, is a well with an old wooden wheel high up on posts. At the end of the chain hanging from it is a bucket from which water is leaking back into the well.
Madam Valmy, the country-woman who has just come to town and who has a basket upon her arm, has stopped before the house and is looking intently left.
Madam Valmy—Aunt Rachel!