SCENE IV.
Morning in a business street down-town. Many people are passing, among them the Priest, the Suburban, and the Loafer. A crowd thickens before the bulletin boards of “The Earth,” a prominent daily newspaper. At the extreme left are the headquarters of “The Universe,” a rival paper. Not far from “The Earth” building can be seen the modest sign of the eminent physician:—
DR. ESMERALD THORNE.
Office Hour 12-1 o’clock.
(A door opens within. Dr. Thorne appears in the entrance to the corridor.)
Enter Dr. Thorne (upon the sidewalk.
Standing irresolute, he seems to wince
from the daylight and the morning
air; he mutters).
Now it is light, I can find my way to Helen. (Steps slowly along the sidewalk; shades his eyes from the sun. He wears no hat, and his pallor has increased. No person addresses him.)
(On the bulletin boards of “The Earth” can be seen the following announcement:
War with the Island of Borneo.
Borneo Lays Down Her Ultimatum.
The President has Called for Volunteers.
Panic in Stock Street.
Santa Ma Fallen 30 Points Since Yesterday.
Dissension at the City Hospital.
Rumors of Accident at the West End.)
Enter Dr. Gazell (a short, blond, thick-set,
suave man of middle age) and Dr.
Carver (a very young man; the latter
reading a fresh copy of “The Universe”).
Dr. Gazell (with emotion). Shocking! Shocking! I cannot express—I am overcome!