Vir. Helen is such a beautiful name. I wish I had been named Helen.
Poe. Thank God you are not!
Vir. (Looking up hastily) Why—
Poe. I mean that I want you to be just as you are—my Virginia—nothing else!
Vir. (Seeing he is troubled) I am keeping you from your work. You should have sent me away. I ’ll be angry with you, Edgar, if you let me disturb you. Now I ’m going to find the last rose of summer for you.
Poe. But you have n’t said your lesson.
Vir. O! (begins) Alpha, beta,—now if I say them right you are to give me a kiss for reward!
Poe. And if you miss one, I ’ll give you a kiss for encouragement.
Vir. (Seeing letter) O, a letter from New York! You ’ve made me your secretary, you know, and of course I must read your letters! (Picks it up and glances at it) He says Mr. Willis will certainly give you a place on his paper. (Drops letter and looks at him quietly) It is your chance for fortune.
Poe. I am not going, love.