Bird's nest, a fantasy in one act

by Tracy D. Mygatt

Lydia.

[Falling with a cry into Richard’s arms.] Oh, Richard! I—I feel faint!

Richard.

[Tenderly carrying her to the garden bench, Martin following them.] There, there, my darling! [On his knees, to her.] Shall I fetch your salts?

Lydia.

[As she clings to him, Martin, regarding both, a faint, quizzical sadness in his eyes.] No, no, it’s not my salts I need! Oh, what did he say, Richard? What did he say?

Richard.

[Caressing her gently.] It was nothing, my darling! We—[Vainly trying to repress a quiver in his voice.] we must have misunderstood him!

Lydia.

[Softly repulsing him, sitting bolt upright.] No, I don’t think so! I—— [Suddenly she hides her face in her hands, in an agony of remembrance.] Oh, Richard, don’t you know? We’ve been mistaken before about—about Bird’s Nest?